Additional Coverage:
- JD Vance repeats baseless claim about Haitian migrants and cats (newsbreak.com)
Local authorities in Springfield, Ohio, confirmed on Monday that they have not received any credible reports of Haitian immigrants abducting or eating pets, despite widespread claims on social media. Notably, these unsubstantiated allegations have been shared and amplified by figures like Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance.
The accusations, suggesting that Haitian migrants have been consuming cats, ducks, and geese, have gone viral on various platforms, especially on X (formerly Twitter). JD Vance, the Republican senator for Ohio, claimed in a post, which garnered 4 million views by Monday evening, of chaos caused by Haitian immigrants in Springfield, mentioning reports of pets being abducted and eaten.
Other notable individuals, including members of the House Judiciary GOP, Senator Ted Cruz, and Elon Musk, the owner of X, also commented on these claims. Cruz posted a meme on X featuring two cats with text urging a vote for Trump to prevent Haitian immigrants from eating them.
Springfield’s spokesperson, Karen Graves, told CBS News there have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed by migrants. Graves stated, “In response to recent rumors alleging criminal activity by the immigrant population in our city, we wish to clarify that there have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured, or abused by individuals within the immigrant community.”
The origin of these claims is unclear, though the Springfield News-Sun suggested they might stem from a viral post in a local Facebook group. According to the paper, a person claimed that a friend’s cat was found hanging from a branch near a Haitian neighbor’s house. These unverified screenshots have circulated widely on social media.
Additionally, some social media users shared unrelated body camera footage of an Ohio woman accused of killing and eating a cat in Canton, a city over 170 miles from Springfield. Public records show this woman, Allexis Telia Ferrell, is not a migrant and has lived in Ohio for at least 18 years.
Besides, AI-generated images are also being shared in connection with these claims. One such image depicts Trump holding two cats while running through a crowd, with a caption suggesting that he is the only hope for the kittens of Springfield.
Springfield, a city with a population just under 58,000, has experienced a significant influx of migrants over the years. Local officials estimate there are between 12,000 to 15,000 migrants in Clark County, with more than 10,000 from Haiti. The Haitian Community Help and Support Center was established in Springfield in 2023 to assist these migrants.
Lastly, Springfield authorities dispelled other rumors, confirming there have been no verified incidents of migrants squatting, littering, or intentionally disrupting traffic.
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- JD Vance repeats baseless claim about Haitian migrants and cats (newsbreak.com)