Springfield, Ohio, has become the latest battleground in America’s culture wars, thanks to viral claims that Haitian migrants are turning local pets into pâté. What began as wild stories in a Facebook post and at a city commission meeting has spiraled into a political circus, fueled by social media and some high- profile amplifiers like Senator J.D. Vance and Elon Musk. But is this tale of dogs and ducks in danger and disappearing cats based on facts or is it baseless fear-mongering?
If the left’s denials are any clue, their noisy protests are a dead giveaway that it IS true. But as a true- crime aficionado, I’m all about the evidence. So, I’ve dug around to find some facts for you – or at least lay out every side of the story so that you can decide for yourself.
Fact-check: no pet munching on the record, say police.
Springfield officials have been quick to try to quash the rumor mill regarding this story. Springfield police say they’ve received zero “credible” reports of Haitian migrants snatching pets or decapitating ducks in public parks. A city spokesperson said in a carefully worded denial that the immigrant community is not turning Fido or any local stray cats into a feast. However, we all know the limits about what police can say in public statements when accusations are being made – and we all KNOW about things that are happening in our own communities that the police will never admit to. So take their statement any way you wish about what is going on. Here it is:
“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.”
Duck tales and cat-astrophes.
On the other side of things are community members at a local Springfield City Commission meeting [1] talking about what is going on in their city including a man [2] who said, “They’re (Haitian migrants) in the park grabbing up ducks by they neck and cutting they head off and walking up with them and eating them.” Add to that someone on Facebook who said her neighbor, who lost her cat, found it hanging in a tree and butchered in a Haitian migrant’s yard. Are they all liars? There’s also a video of a woman that the police caught (allegedly) eating a cat.
The leftist media, which is always working hard to dispel the notion that the Democrat open borders are creating any kind of chaos or crime in the country, was quick to jump on the story and paint is as a racist lie spread by freaks like Trump’s VP candidate, JD Vance.
The leftist NYT [3], the Hill and others are only pointing to the police statement as their “evidence” that it’s not happening. CA Rep. Maxine Waters also chimed in calling those who are accusing the migrants of eating pets as being racist. She told a media outlet, “I think they’re (Haitians) are treated differently because they’re black, because they are Haitian,” she said.
New York Post does a little digging.
From my research, the ONLY outlet I’ve seen doing any real research into any of this is the New York Post [4] who points out two things:
1. The Post says the video of the woman being questioned by the police after killing and eating a cat captures 27-year-old Allexis Telia Ferrell, who, as reported by Fox 12 [5], faces charges stemming from an August 16th incident where she allegedly stomped on a cat before consuming it in front of horrified neighbors. There are no records on whether she is Haitian or a migrant or an illegal alien – there is only a photo of her along with the story. You decide.
2. A photo that went viral of a man holding a goose, came from a Reddit post [6], and as the Post puts it “has no context.” You decide.
Claims of rising threats from growing Haitian population in Springfield spreading like wildfire.
Denials by the left that the Haitians are eating pets and other animals in the city of Springfield, hasn’t stopped the claims from spreading like wildfire online, particularly in political circles eager to spotlight the threats from the city’s growing Haitian population.
The real problem? The influx of 20,000 migrants straining Springfield.
While the viral pet-eating narrative might be lacking in evidence, Springfield is undeniably feeling the pressure from a recent influx of up to 20,000 reported Haitian migrants. City services are strained, housing is tight, and public resources are being stretched thin. Residents and local officials, including Vance, argue that the city is struggling to cope, with concerns over crime and safety becoming hot topics in town halls and online forums.
Politics, racism, or panic?
If nothing else, the spotlight on Springfield pertaining to the pet-eating story is actually good for the community – giving them a voice – a platform – to talk about what is happening in their city. Not to mention it puts the Haitian population on notice that if they intend to eat the community’s animals – or have been – to stop that idea in their tracks.
What critics are saying.
Critics argue that the pet-eating hysteria is just the latest manifestation of a longstanding racist trope designed to stoke fear and division. Groups like the Haitian Bridge Alliance have condemned the claims as dangerous xenophobia, pointing to a broader trend of anti-immigrant sentiment whipped up around election cycles.
What is the truth?
Usually, the real truth lies somewhere in the middle. Although no hard evidence that Haitian migrants are raiding the local Springfield duck pond for dinner, there is really no hard evidence that they’re not.
The bigger story lies in Springfield’s struggle to adapt to a rapidly changing population and the resulting political grandstanding. As the saying goes, never let a good crisis (or a duck) go to waste.