Prominent Republicans, including the Trump campaign and JD Vance, are spreading unfounded and inflammatory claims that Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, are engaging in the disturbing practice of eating local pets and wildlife.
These sensational and often racially charged social media posts allege—without any supporting evidence—that Haitian migrants in Springfield are stealing and butchering pets and wildlife, such as ducks and geese. Some posts, including those from the X account of the House Judiciary Committee Republicans, feature AI-generated images of Donald Trump purportedly protecting animals, casting him as a defender of the town. Texas Senator Ted Cruz shared a meme with two cats hugging and a caption urging support for Trump to prevent “Haitian immigrants” from harming them.
The Springfield News-Sun reported that local police have “received no reports related to pets being stolen and eaten.”
The baseless claims seem to have originated from a comment at a local city meeting, where an individual alleged that migrants were taking ducks from parks to slaughter them. These claims were then amplified by local crime-watch Facebook groups and subsequently picked up by other social media platforms and headlines, including the Daily Mail.
These misleading assertions come as the Trump campaign is intensifying its focus on immigration issues, linking the arrival of migrants with shortcomings in Springfield’s preparedness. Springfield’s mayor, Rob Rue, appeared on Fox News to criticize the Biden administration for allegedly failing cities like Springfield and imposing excessive burdens.
The influx of Haitian migrants, driven by temporary protected status due to ongoing violence in Haiti, has indeed increased Springfield’s population, which has put additional strain on local services such as clinics and schools. Estimates suggest that up to 20,000 Haitians have settled in the city, contributing to economic activity but also exacerbating housing and service pressures.
An incident last year involving a migrant driver crashing into a school bus, resulting in a child’s death, has fueled existing concerns about migration. Rising housing costs have also led to fewer options for low-income residents of all backgrounds.
Recent city council meetings have featured residents expressing frustration over the new influx of residents, with some making claims about confrontations with non-English speakers and other issues. However, attempts to link a recent cat cruelty case in Canton, Ohio, to the Haitian migrant community in Springfield have been unfounded, as the individual involved does not appear to be a migrant from Haiti.
JD Vance, the Republican vice-presidential candidate, has been vocal against Haitian migrants in Ohio for months and reiterated his position on Monday, criticizing Kamala Harris in a post claiming that reports show migrants are abducting and eating pets.
The Trump campaign has also capitalized on these claims, sending out emails warning that such issues will proliferate if Harris is elected, promising that President Trump would initiate the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history to prioritize American citizens.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced on Monday that his office would explore legal avenues to prevent an influx of migrants into Ohio communities. He stated that his office would “exhaust all possibilities” to address the situation, including addressing claims about migrants harming wildlife.