Once a quiet town in Ohio’s rust belt, Springfield was unexpectedly thrust into the international spotlight. “They’re eating the dogs and the cats—people’s pets,” exclaimed former President Donald Trump, 78, during a televised debate with his rival Kamala Harris, 59, on Tuesday. The claim was one of the most bizarre moments in American presidential debate history.
20,000 migrants have arrived in a city of 58,000
Who was he referring to? Haitian migrants, who have settled in Springfield in significant numbers in recent years, drawn by affordable housing and job opportunities. Since the pandemic, up to 20,000 immigrants have arrived, putting pressure on the city, which had previously housed a population of 58,000. This rapid growth has ignited tensions among some long-time residents.
Rumors quickly turned dark, with claims surfacing during town meetings that Haitian newcomers were capturing, killing, and eating pets and ducks. In an unusual twist, AI-generated memes of Trump as an animal rescuer began circulating online. But what’s the truth behind these wild accusations?
Some citizens are concerned about the safety of their pets
US Live investigated the scene and found no evidence supporting the macabre claims. Photos allegedly showing a man carrying a dead duck were traced back to Columbus. The story of a woman eating a cat? She wasn’t from Haiti, nor was the incident anywhere near Springfield.
“We don’t have photos or videos, but is something suspicious happening? Absolutely,” says Diana Daniels, 68. She is one of the most vocal residents raising concerns. Standing on her porch she greets our team, her three cats lounging around.
Daniels, who sees herself as the voice of concerned locals, believes in the rumors despite the lack of proof. First, she says, ducks went missing from Snyder Park. Then pets began to disappear, and many never showed up on lost-pet websites like Petfinder. She even suggests that voodoo rituals may be involved, and admits she’s worried about her own pets.
Shock in the Haitian community: “That’s not even imaginable…”
And what about Trump? “He probably shouldn’t have said it without solid proof,” Daniels admits. “But that’s just who he is.” She insists the accusations aren’t about racism but about drawing attention to the challenges of rapid immigration, citing increased car accidents, crowded public offices, and language barriers in schools.
Trump’s incendiary remarks also intended to spotlight the immigration policies under President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris. However, Viles Dorsainvi, 38, leader of the Haitian Help and Community Support Center, vehemently disagrees with the narrative. He explains that most immigrants have been in the U.S. for years, often coming from larger cities like Miami or New York. Springfield attracted them because of its affordable cost of living and available jobs, which have actually boosted the local economy.
The idea that Haitians are eating pets, Dorsainvi says, is “unthinkable” and deeply offensive. He’s troubled by the way such baseless rumors have been politicized, originating from Trump’s vice-presidential candidate JD Vance, 40. For Dorsainvi, who fled Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, America once stood as a beacon of hope. Now, that image feels deeply tarnished.
