Springfield residents react to false claims of pets being eaten [Video]

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Online claims, boosted by high-profile politicians, have raised tensions in Springfield, Ohio, a city of about 60,000 people.

The claims that have been circulating that the city’s Haitian immigrant population have been killing wildlife and people’s pets for food. City leaders, along with the police and parks department, have refuted these claims.

“It is disappointing that some of the narratives surrounding our city has been skewed by misinformation circulating on social media and further amplified by political rhetoric in the current highly charged presidential election cycle,” said Bryan Heck, Springfield City Manager, in a video statement Wednesday afternoon.

Former President Donald Trump amplified the online rumors during Tuesday night’s debate.

“In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs, the people that came in, they’re eating the cats. They’re eating the pets of the people that live there,” Trump said.

10TV spoke with people in Springfield over …