Former President Donald Trump repeated a false viral claim that immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, “are eating the pets of the people that live there,” during his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, despite local police saying there have been “no credible reports” of immigrants harming or abusing pets.

Trump said immigrants are “eating the dogs” and “eating the cats” of Springfield residents, during a segment about immigration policy.

The claim, which has also been spread by Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, appeared to originate from a user on a Springfield, Ohio, group page on Facebook claiming their neighbor’s daughter’s friend found her cat hung and carved from a branch at a Haitian neighbor’s home—though the post’s claim had no first-hand backing.

Springfield Police investigations commander Mike Kranz told Forbes there have been “no credible reports” of immigrants in the small Ohio city harming pets.

Debate moderator David Muir cited Springfield officials’ denials, to which Trump claimed he has seen “people on television” who have said their “dog was taken and used for food.”

Vance also pushed the claim this week and doubled down on it Tuesday, claiming he heard from Springfield residents who have said their neighbors’ pets were taken by Haitian immigrants, though the senator noted “it’s “possible, of course, that all of these rumors will turn out to be false.”

The Spread of The False Claim

The claim, which was debunked by Springfield police, originated on a Facebook group page in August and was amplified by far-right activists and politicians, including Vance, who posted it to his X account on Monday.

The post has gained more than 10 million views, with many users citing the posts as evidence of their “concerns” with the Haitian community in Springfield.

The Origins of the Rumor

The origins of the rumor can be traced back to a post in a Springfield, Ohio, Facebook group in August, where a user alleged that their neighbor’s daughter’s friend found their cat hung and carved from a branch at a Haitian neighbor’s house.

This was later picked up by far-right activists, who amplified the rumor on X.

The Truth About The Haitian Community in Springfield

The City of Springfield, Ohio, has experienced a significant influx of Haitian migrants in recent years.

These migrants are seeking safety and better lives, and they are contributing to the economy and the community.

Despite the influx, there have been no credible reports of Haitian immigrants eating pets in Springfield, and police have denied the claim.

The Dangers of Spreading Falsehoods

The spreading of false claims about the Haitian community is dangerous and harmful.

It can lead to discrimination, harassment, and violence.

It’s important to remember that all people deserve to be treated with respect, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or nationality.

It’s also important to rely on credible sources of information and to fact-check claims before sharing them.

The Importance of Dialogue and Understanding

The situation in Springfield highlights the importance of dialogue and understanding.

It’s important to create spaces where people from different backgrounds can come together and share their experiences.

This can help to build bridges of understanding and to address the challenges that communities face.

A Call for Empathy and Compassion

In the end, it is important to remember that we are all human beings.

We should treat each other with empathy and compassion, and we should work to create a more just and equitable world.

The false claims about the Haitian community are a reminder of the dangers of prejudice and hate speech.

We must all work to challenge these forces and to promote understanding and tolerance.

The Future of Springfield

Despite the challenges that it has faced, Springfield has a bright future.

The city has a strong economy, a diverse population, and a welcoming community.

It is a place where people from all walks of life can come together to build a better future.

The city is now working to address the concerns of its residents and to ensure that all people feel safe and welcome.

It is also working to create a more inclusive and equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

By working together, we can create a more just and equitable world for all.