A viral narrative suggesting widespread instances of Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio stealing residents’ pets or taking wildlife from parks for food surfaced on social media this week.
Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance amplified the narrative about “Haitian illegal immigrants” in a Sept. 9 post on X that said, “Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldn't be in this country.”
However, Springfield police and officials have said in response to the narrative that there are no widespread instances of Haitian immigrants stealing pets to eat them.
In a statement on Tuesday, a Springfield police spokesperson said, "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."
BODYCAM VIDEO
The graphic video, viewable on YouTube, shows the Aug. 16 arrest of Allexis Telia Ferrell, who allegedly killed and ate a cat in Canton. Stark County Commons Pleas Court records for Ferrell shows she was charged with cruelty to companion animals.
SPRINGFIELD CLAIMS
Springfield Mayor Rob Rue on Monday said claims of geese or ducks from parks being killed and eaten are unsubstantiated, according to a Springfield News-Sun report.
In interviews last month, following claims at a city commission meeting that Haitians were cooking wildlife taken from local parks, a city official said they had not been able to verify any of those reports and described them as "false" and "misleading" information amplified by social media.
HAITIANS IN THE U.S.
Some social media posts also contain a clip of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris appearing on The View in 2021, in which she said Haitians in the U.S. “need support, they need protection.”
Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, are there legally and eligible to apply for Temporary Protected Status, according to an Immigration FAQ page on the city’s website, which says the total immigration population in Clark County is an estimated 12,000 to 15,000.
Spokespeople for JD Vance did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
VERDICT
No evidence. There is no evidence of widespread killing and eating of pets in Springfield, Ohio, according to local officials and police.
This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team. Read more about our fact-checking work.
