During a recent presidential debate, Donald Trump ignited controversy by repeating a bizarre and entirely unfounded claim. He asserted that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were “eating the dogs. The people that came in, they are eating the cats. They’re eating – they are eating the pets of the people that live there.” This sensational statement, however, is demonstrably false and has been refuted by city officials and fact-checkers alike. BBC Verify investigated these claims and found absolutely no credible evidence to support the idea of immigrants, Haitian or otherwise, consuming domestic animals in Springfield.
Donald Trump gesturing during a speech, with a blurred background of supporters.
Trump’s outlandish statement echoes similar unfounded rumors spread through social media, amplified by figures like Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance. Vance’s promotion of this conspiracy theory on X garnered over 11 million views, highlighting the rapid spread of misinformation online. John Kirby, US National Security Council spokesman, condemned Vance’s remarks as “dangerous” and labeled the claim a “conspiracy theory… based on an element of racism,” underscoring the harmful nature of such baseless accusations.
The Whispers Behind the Wild Claim
So, where did this outlandish “cat-eating” narrative originate? It appears to be a concoction pieced together from various disparate sources, molded into a cohesive, albeit false, story by pro-Trump social media circles.
A key source seems to be a Springfield city commission meeting on August 27th. At this meeting, a self-proclaimed “social media influencer” delivered a lengthy tirade against Haitian immigrants. His unsubstantiated grievances ranged from accusations of slaughtering park ducks for food to claims of city officials being bribed to bring in immigrants. Crucially, he offered zero evidence to support any of these allegations.
Adding fuel to the fire, a Facebook post within a Springfield crime-focused group mentioned a rumor about a cat being killed by Haitian immigrants. This claim was attributed to a friend of a neighbor’s daughter – a classic example of third-hand, unreliable information.
Trump himself, during the debate, claimed to have witnessed “people on television [saying] ‘My dog was taken and used for food’”. However, BBC Verify meticulously reviewed archives from major US broadcasters like Fox, CNN, and CBS, as well as conducting extensive social media keyword searches. Their investigation found no televised interviews or reports corroborating Trump’s assertion. This lack of evidence further undermines the credibility of the “pet-eating” claims.
Screenshot of a tweet from the Republican House Judiciary Committee X account featuring an AI-generated image of Trump hugging a duck and a cat, captioned "Protect our ducks and kittens in Ohio!".
Adding to the confusion, an unrelated news report from late August about an Ohio woman arrested in Canton (over 170 miles from Springfield) for killing and eating a cat has been circulating online. Right-wing commentators have falsely linked this incident to Haitian immigrants in Springfield, attempting to use it as “evidence” for their baseless claims. However, Canton police confirmed to the BBC that the suspect was a US citizen, born in 1997, and that they had received no complaints regarding Haitian immigrants and pet consumption.
Springfield City Commission officials explicitly stated to BBC Verify: “There have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community.” This unequivocal denial from city authorities directly contradicts Trump’s claims and reinforces the fact that these are unfounded rumors.
Geese and Reddit Rumblings
The Springfield pet rumor mill extends beyond cats and dogs. A Reddit post featuring a photo of a man carrying what appeared to be a dead goose in Columbus, Ohio, also became entangled in the narrative. This image was shared alongside claims related to immigrants and animal consumption, further muddying the waters.
Conservative news outlet The Federalist published a story featuring an audio recording purportedly from a non-emergency police call in Springfield. In this recording, the caller claimed to have seen four Haitians carrying four geese. The Federalist also presented what they claimed was a police report from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office about this call. However, when BBC Verify contacted the sheriff’s office, they were directed to a Springfield City government spokesperson who reiterated that “these claims were not substantiated.” This lack of confirmation from official sources casts further doubt on the veracity of the goose-related allegations.
Viral Memes and Political Amplification
The baseless “pet-eating” claims have been amplified by prominent figures and spread through viral memes. Elon Musk shared memes referencing these rumors, garnering millions of views and contributing to the dissemination of misinformation. Charlie Kirk, CEO of Turning Point, echoed the false claims, stating: “Residents of Springfield, OH are reporting that Haitians are eating their family pets.”
Even official Republican Party social media channels, such as the Republican House Judiciary Committee X account, engaged with the rumors. They posted an AI-generated image of former President Trump hugging a duck and a cat with the caption “Protect our ducks and kittens in Ohio!”. This post reached nearly 70 million views, demonstrating the significant reach of these fabricated claims, particularly when linked to political figures and amplified by social media.
While Vance later attempted to backtrack, acknowledging the rumors “could be false,” he simultaneously encouraged “cat memes,” showing a continued, albeit perhaps ironic, engagement with the narrative. When challenged on CNN about the claim, Vance doubled down, citing “first-hand accounts” from constituents as his “evidence,” a clear indication of relying on anecdotal and unsubstantiated claims rather than factual reporting. His statement, “If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then that’s what I’m going to do,” reveals a disturbing willingness to fabricate or exaggerate narratives for political gain.
Aerial view of Springfield, Ohio, showing urban and green spaces.
Springfield: A City of Immigrant Revitalization
Springfield, Ohio, a city in the Rust Belt, has experienced significant demographic shifts in recent years. It has become home to a large immigrant population, including many from Haiti. City officials estimate that up to 20,000 immigrants have settled in Springfield, reversing a long period of population decline. This influx of new residents has revitalized local industries but has also presented challenges for public services. Figures like Senator JD Vance, who represents Ohio and has local ties to Springfield, have frequently discussed the city in their political discourse.
In conclusion, the claims of Haitian immigrants eating pets in Springfield are demonstrably false. They originate from unsubstantiated rumors, misinterpretations, and politically motivated amplification. Fact-checking organizations and city officials have debunked these claims, highlighting the dangers of misinformation and the harmful impact of spreading baseless accusations, particularly those tinged with xenophobia and prejudice. The focus should remain on factual reporting and addressing real issues, rather than perpetuating harmful and divisive rumors about immigrant communities.
