Fact Check: "In Springfield they are eating the dogs, they're eating the cats"
What We Know
The claim that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, are eating pets, specifically dogs and cats, originated from a Facebook post in September 2024. This post alleged that a neighbor's daughter had witnessed her cat being butchered by Haitians. The rumor quickly spread through social media, particularly among far-right groups, and was amplified by prominent figures, including Republican senator JD Vance and former President Donald Trump, who repeated the claim during a presidential debate (source-1, source-2).
Local law enforcement and city officials have stated that there are "no credible reports" supporting these claims. Springfield's mayor and Ohio's governor have also denounced the rumors as unfounded (source-1, source-3). The original Facebook poster later admitted that her information was based on hearsay and not credible (source-1).
Analysis
The evidence surrounding the claim is overwhelmingly against its validity. The initial rumor was based on a Facebook post that was later retracted by its author, who acknowledged that it was a rumor she had heard and not a verified incident (source-1). Springfield police have confirmed that they have received no reports of pets being stolen or eaten (source-7).
Furthermore, the claims have been characterized as a hoax by multiple credible sources, including fact-checking organizations like Snopes and PolitiFact, the latter of which labeled it their "Lie of the Year" for 2024 (source-1, source-4). The amplification of these claims by political figures raises concerns about the motivations behind their spread, particularly given the existing racial tensions in Springfield related to the influx of Haitian immigrants (source-1, source-4).
The sources that propagated the claim, including social media posts and statements from political figures, lack credible evidence and often rely on anecdotal accounts or misattributed incidents. For instance, a separate incident involving a woman in Canton, Ohio, who was arrested for animal cruelty was incorrectly linked to the claims about Haitian immigrants, despite being unrelated and occurring in a different city (source-5, source-2).
Conclusion
The claim that "in Springfield they are eating the dogs, they're eating the cats" is False. There is no credible evidence to support this assertion, and it has been widely debunked by local authorities and fact-checking organizations. The origins of the claim are rooted in misinformation and have been exacerbated by racial tensions and political rhetoric.
Sources
- Springfield pet-eating hoax - Wikipedia
- Donald Trump repeats baseless claim about Haitian immigrants eating cats and dogs in Springfield, Ohio
- Springfield grapples with false cat-eating rumours - and real problems
- The stereotype of immigrants eating dogs and cats is storied — and vitriolic as ever
- Woman sentenced in case that sparked Springfield cat rumours
- Springfield police say no reports of pets stolen, eaten, after viral social media post
- US election: Springfield woman who started pet-eating claims says she is 'not racist'
