'Garbage': Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine disparages GOP rumor-mongering about Haitian immigrants eating pets

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine called rumors about Haitian immigrants eating pets in his state "garbage," adding that Republicans' rhetoric on the topic “is not helpful.”

“I think these discussions about Haitians eating dogs and cats and other things need to stop. We need to focus on what is important,” Mr. DeWine, a Republican, said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week."

Claims of Haitian immigrants eating the pets of residents in Springfield have been spread by Republican figures, including former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio.

Springfield has experienced threats against the Haitians and bomb threats that have prompted evacuations of some buildings since the rumors have been aired.

“There’s a lot of garbage on the internet and, you know, this is a piece of garbage that was simply not true,” Mr. DeWine said. “There’s no evidence of this at all.”

He said there is no need for hate groups in the city, noting that most of the Haitian immigrants in Springfield are there legally.

“What we know is that the Haitians who are in Springfield are legal. They came to Springfield to work. Ohio is on the move, and Springfield has really made a great resurgence with a lot of companies coming in," he said. "These Haitians came in to work for these companies. What the companies tell us is that they are very good workers. They’re very happy to have them there. And, frankly, that’s helped the economy.”

But he also said the arrival of the immigrants has strained the city’s resources.

“When you go from a population of 58,000 and add 15,000 people onto that, you’re going to have some challenges and some problems. And we’re addressing those. We’re working on those every single day. Primary care is essential,” Mr. DeWine said.

He said any negative comment about Haitians "is hurtful and is not helpful" to the city and its people.

“These Haitians can be part of this, but there are challenges. And, you know, I've talked to people at the White House. We need additional assistance,” the GOP governor said. “I think when you have this many people surge into a community, they need help.”