False Claims Circulate About Haitian Immigrants Stealing Pets in Ohio.
This week, a viral social media rumor suggested that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were stealing local pets and taking wildlife from parks for food. The claims, however, have spread without any credible evidence to back them.
One of the posts on Facebook included an image with the text: “Springfield Ohio residents are warning their pets and wildlife like ducks and geese are being eaten by Haitians.”
The unsubstantiated rumor gained even more traction when Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump mentioned it during a debate on Tuesday night. Additionally, Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance echoed the narrative in a Sept. 9 post on X, where he claimed: “Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldn’t be in this country.”
However, local police and officials in Springfield have confirmed that there are no credible reports of Haitian immigrants being involved in such activities.
Local Authorities Deny Claims
On Tuesday, a spokesperson for Springfield police issued a statement addressing the allegations, emphasizing, “There have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured, or abused by individuals within the immigrant community.”
Misleading Video Shared Online
Some social media users have shared a bodycam video of a woman’s arrest in Canton, Ohio, to support the false narrative. The footage shows a woman allegedly killing and eating a cat, but according to Canton police, the suspect is not a Haitian immigrant.
Dennis Garren, a Canton police spokesperson, clarified in an email: “The suspect in this case is not a Haitian immigrant. She is a lifelong Canton resident.”
The video, available on YouTube, shows the August 16 arrest of Allexis Telia Ferrell, who was charged with animal cruelty after allegedly killing and eating a cat. Court records confirm that Ferrell is a local resident.
Springfield Officials Dismiss Wildlife Claims
Springfield Mayor Rob Rue also addressed the claims about local wildlife, such as ducks and geese, being killed and eaten. He called the allegations “unsubstantiated” in a recent interview with the Springfield News-Sun.
Last month, city officials debunked similar claims made during a city commission meeting, where it was alleged that Haitian immigrants were cooking wildlife from local parks. Officials said they had not been able to verify any of the reports, calling the rumors “false” and “misleading” information that had been amplified through social media.
Context on Haitian Immigrants in the U.S.
Some posts on social media include an old clip of Vice President Kamala Harris from 2021, where she appeared on The View and spoke about the need to support and protect Haitians living in the U.S.
In May 2021, the U.S. government expanded Temporary Protected Status (TPS) eligibility for Haitians, allowing an estimated 150,000 Haitians already in the country to avoid deportation and obtain work permits due to unsafe conditions in Haiti.
In Springfield, Haitian immigrants are residing legally and are eligible for TPS, as outlined on the city’s website. The total immigrant population in Clark County, which includes Springfield, is estimated to be between 12,000 and 15,000 people.
Vance Backtracks on Claims
Despite sharing the claims initially, JD Vance later acknowledged on X that the allegations may not hold up. He wrote, “It’s possible, of course, that all of these rumors will turn out to be false,” while continuing to blame issues in Springfield’s healthcare, housing, and education systems on Haitian immigrants.
Conclusion: No Evidence to Support Claims
There is no credible evidence to suggest that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, are involved in killing or eating pets. Local police, officials, and available facts disprove these claims, which appear to be based on misinformation circulating online.