Trump claims Springfield, Ohio migrants are eating pets. Local officials say it's not true

Former President Donald Trump repeated claims Tuesday that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, are eating people's pets as the community finds itself in the middle of a heated immigration debate .

Trump invoked the city, located just northeast of Dayton, during his first debate against Vice President Kamala Harris in Philadelphia. An estimated 15,000 Haitians settled in Springfield in recent years as part of a Biden administration program that aims to help migrants fleeing violence.

More: Springfield Haitians, other residents respond to being at center of immigration debate

Local officials say the influx of migrants has strained the health care system, spurred a housing crisis and raised concerns about road safety − particularly after a Haitian immigrant crashed a school bus . In recent days, the issue became a lightning rod for Republicans − including Trump's running mate, Ohio Sen JD Vance − who are critical of President Joe Biden's border policies.

"In Springfield, they're eating the dogs, the people that came in," Trump said during the debate. "They're eating the cats. They're eating the pets of the people that live there. This is what's happening in our country, and it's a shame."

After the debate, Vance told CNN his office has received calls from Springfield residents claiming their pets had been "abducted" and "are being slaughtered right in front of us."

"What they're calling and saying is we're seeing migrants kidnap our dogs and cats and city officials won't do anything about it," Vance said.

Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck issued a statement this week dismissing rumors about Haitians harming pets and ducks at the park.

"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," Heck said.

Moderator and ABC News anchor David Muir cited Heck's statement during the debate, to which the former president said: "People on television say, 'My dog was taken and used for food.' Maybe he said that, and maybe that's a good thing to say for a city manager. But the people on television say their dog was eaten by the people that went there."

"Again, the Springfield city manager says there's no evidence of that," Muir repeated.

Trump replied: "We'll find out."

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Cincinnati Enquirer reporters Amber Hunt and Scott Wartman contributed to this report.

Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Trump claims Springfield, Ohio migrants are eating pets. Local officials say it's not true