There is no evidence Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, are stealing, eating pets

The town of Springfield, Ohio, has recently become the center of the immigration debate, with high-profile Republicans like Donald Trump claiming Haitian immigrants have caused disruptions in the city and committed illegal acts, including harming and eating animals. 

“In Springfield, they're eating the dogs, the people that came in, they're eating the cats. They're eating the pets of the people that live there,” Trump said during the presidential debate on Sept. 10. 

A press release released before the debate from Trump’s campaign claims “migrants have reportedly been caught 'decapitating ducks' and hunting geese and other livestock in public parks — and even kidnapping residents’ pets — then eating them.” 

“Haitian illegal immigrants” are “generally causing chaos all over Springfield, Ohio,” a Sept. 9 X post from vice presidential candidate and Ohio Sen. JD Vance says. 

“Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldn't be in this country,” Vance’s post reads. 

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz shared a meme of cats hugging with text on top of the image that says, “Please vote for Trump so Haitian immigrants don’t eat us.” 

VERIFY readers James and John reached out to ask what’s happening in Springfield, Ohio. Here is what we can VERIFY. 

THE SOURCES

• Springfield, Ohio, City Manager Bryan Heck
• Karen Graves, a spokesperson with the City of Springfield, Ohio
• Sept. 9 report from the Springfield News-Sun
• Leann Castillo, executive director for the Clark County Park District
• Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine statement to the media on Sept. 11
• Rose-Thamar Joseph, operation manager with the Haitian Community Help & Support Center in Springfield, Ohio
• City of Springfield Aug. 27 commission meeting
• City of Springfield immigration FAQ
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

WHAT WE FOUND

There is no evidence to support the viral claims that members of the Haitian immigrant community in Springfield, Ohio, have harmed or eaten wildlife or pets, according to city officials.

“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,” Karen Graves, a spokesperson with the City of Springfield told VERIFY. 

“Additionally, there have been no verified instances of immigrants engaging in illegal activities such as squatting or littering in front of residents’ homes. Furthermore, no reports have been made regarding members of the immigrant community deliberately disrupting traffic,” Graves said. 

Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck said in a recorded statement on Sept. 11, “It is disappointing that some of the narratives surrounding our city have been skewed by misinformation circulating on social media and further amplified by political rhetoric in the current highly charged presidential election cycle.”

The Springfield Police Division hasn’t received reports of pets being stolen and eaten, the Springfield News-Sun reported. 

Leann Castillo, the executive director for the Clark County Park District, told VERIFY there has been “no evidence or reports of this happening in the parks in Clark County,” where Springfield is located. Castillo said the parks office has been receiving inquiries about the claim, but they “do not have any knowledge of this taking place.”  

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine was in Springfield on Sept. 11 for an event unrelated to the viral claims about the Haitian immigrant community. While there, he was asked about Trump’s comments during the debate. DeWine said, "I think we should take the word of the city manager and the mayor that they have found no credible evidence of that story, of Haitians eating pets.” 

According to the City of Springfield’s website, there are 12,000 to 15,000 Haitian immigrants legally working and residing in Clark County, Ohio. The city says it has seen an increase in immigrants traveling to Springfield to be closer to friends and family of the current residents. 

“Now that there are numerous immigrant families residing in our community, word of mouth is adding to our population, as this communal culture is sharing their positive experiences about living in our community with family and friends who are also seeking to leave the impoverished and dangerous living conditions of their home country,” the website says. 

The city website also says the rapid population increase has strained local government services and put pressure on public safety, health care, housing, and education resources.

Rose-Thamer Joseph, the operation manager with the Haitian Community Help & Support Center in Springfield, told VERIFY partner station WBNS there is no truth to the viral claims about the community and that because of these rumors, Haitians in Springfield fear for their lives. 

“They have fear, a lot of fears right now. Some of them are talking about leaving Springfield. Some of them are scared for their lives, it’s tough for us,” Joseph said.

VERIFY was unable to confirm when unfounded claims about migrants killing pets in Springfield started. 

Deputy Director of Public Safety and Operations, Jason Via told NPR:  "We get these reports 'the Haitians are killing ducks in a lot of our parks' or 'the Haitians are eating vegetables right out of the aisle at the grocery store'. And we haven't really seen any of that. It's really frustrating. As a community, it's not helpful as we try to move forward."

The viral claims appear to have reached a wider, national audience following an Aug. 27 City of Springfield commission meeting.

On Aug. 27, Springfield resident Anthony Harris, who described himself as a social media influencer, spoke during the public comment section of the meeting. A recording of the meeting was posted to YouTube, and Harris begins speaking at the 1:10:00 mark.

“I really challenge you guys to get out here and do something. These Haitians are running into trash cans. They’re running into buildings … They’re flipping cars in the middle of the street … They’re in the park grabbing up ducks by their neck and cutting their head off, off with them, and eating them,” Harris tells the commission. 

Harris didn’t provide evidence of his claims. VERIFY reached out for comment but did not hear back at the time of publication. 

So, we can VERIFY there is no evidence to support claims that Haitian members of the immigrant community have been killing or eating animals in Springfield, Ohio.