Ohio city continues to knock down claims about pets, animals being eaten

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio city remains in an unwelcome spotlight after former President Donald Trump amplified false rumors that members of its recently expanded Haitian immigrant population were abducting and eating pets, elevating in a televised presidential debate the type of inflammatory and anti-immigrant rhetoric he has promoted throughout his campaigns.

Police and other government leaders in Springfield, Ohio, have said there are no credible or detailed reports that Haitian immigrants in an Ohio community are doing that. But during the debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, and in subsequent campaign stops, Trump specifically mentioned it.

“They’re eating the dogs. They’re eating the cats. They’re eating the pets of the people that live there,” he said. Harris called Trump “extreme” and laughed after his comment.

While president, Trump questioned why the U.S. would accept people from “s—-hole” countries such as Haiti and some in Africa. His 2024 campaign has focused heavily on illegal immigration, often referencing in his speeches crimes committed by migrants. He argues immigrants are responsible for driving up crime and drug abuse in the United States and taking resources from American citizens.

Here’s a closer look at how the false claims have spread.

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