Haitian community in Springfield reacts to false claims

Gov. Mike DeWine said he is trusting Springfield city officials when they say there is no evidence of Haitian immigrants abducting and eating pets after former President Donald Trump repeated false rumors of such acts happening in the city.

During Tuesday night's presidential debate, Trump brought up the Clark County town located about 45 miles west of Columbus, saying immigrants are taking over the city.


“They’re eating the dogs. They’re eating the cats. They’re eating the pets of the people that live there,” Trump said. Vice President Kamala Harris called Trump “extreme" for the comment.

DeWine was in Springfield for an unrelated event on Wednesday when he was asked about Trump's comments.

"I think we should take the word of the city manager and the mayor that they have found no credible evidence of that story, of Haitians eating pets," DeWine said.

The governor said the state is not aware of reports either.

DeWine acknowledged that Springfield is dealing with a surge in temporary Haitian migrants. During a Tuesday press conference, he said he doesn't oppose the Temporary Protected Status program under which 15,000 Haitians have arrived in a city of about 59,000 since 2020.

DeWine primarily focused on two issues caused by the surge: healthcare and driving. He said most Haitians are not vaccinated and driver education is an issue since people over 18 can just take a test and as long as they pass, they can get a license. DeWine said issues have cropped up due to Haitians being unfamiliar with U.S. traffic laws.

In response, DeWine announced on Wednesday he is sending $2.5 million in healthcare resources to help deal with the surge as well as sending additional Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers to help with traffic issues.




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[ReneSilva-bg]

So how exactly do you prove the cat dog or ducks eating claims are false?

[chungd]

I knew a haitian that ate pigeons in south florida, without hesitation he asked me if i wanted some, this isn't a race issue this is a culture issue.

[stopdalies]

Yeah, because they are going to admit that they've been doing what they are accused of. I swear I can't figure out how people become dumber as the years go by.

[OldManLifes]

So peaceful there…
Why are 10, 000 national guard soldiers being alerted and sent there by the Governor

[Secretbee]

But they are eating the animals tho. It’s on video and it has eye witnesses! So how is it false?

[rahul]

watch " Springfield city commission meeting on 27th Aug. 2024" @1:11:45

[robertbrouillette]

I’ve been to these third world countries like Haiti. They eat cats, dogs, snakes, rats, cockroaches. When I was in the Philippines one time, I saw these two kids barbecuing a dog..

[chadhero]

In Aurora Colorado, the Venezuelans say there are no so, I guess it's true lol!

[TheAdequateMedia]

folks freaking out about the most irrelevant complaint. Also, it's wild to me that nobody's willing to entertain the idea that this shit probably has happened not to be that guy, but let's just be honest somebody has had a cat eaten.

[JKHarrison]

Yeaahhh just ignore the body cam footage released by the police of that Haitian woman eating a cat in public, it’s all just a lie 😂

[iamgermane]

Not out of the ordinary. In Minneapolis when the Hmong first started immigrating in force, they would hunt and fish without a license!! They would fish with nets and catch anything in the nets and eat it. That was in the 1980s.

[mobbman]

This is true its absolutely going on. 1000% its true. 1000% going on i promise u

[rtyhhas]

Who are you ?? Thats how they live in thier home country, its a third world country

[DogCatcher-dv]

They're not stealing them to eat they're stealing them to perform religious rituals...

[vastcinema]

I’m a so-called FBA but I don’t like this thing they’re doing With Haitians saying that they are eating dogs etc in the Media I stand with the Haitian immigrants hope that if they get established they help the others in Haiti if possible And know that Foundational Black Americans fought for them to have this opportunity, and Haitians also have a revolutionary Past 🙏🏾🙏🏾🤴🏾🤴🏾👶🏾👶🏾👸🏽👸🏽 What did the pilgrims eat when they had nothing do some research
Let’s
Pray FBA

[dowhatsright]

This station reporting is wrong. I've listened to the local residents testimonies.

[carmenalexis]

Whatever you do don’t come here bc we think the same thing.

[rbisportscards]

It is extremely true! Anyone can look up on YouTube of real journalists going in and interviewing the residents. This news broadcast should take this down as quick as possible🤡🤡🤡

[Smiley]

We already saw and heard the evidence, too late

[Heyhey]

Wait the one lady that got paid to say it aint so?! 😂. Maybe we should actually investigate