Ohio police dismiss JD Vance's claims about Haitian immigrants harming pets
Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance speaks about the economy, during a visit to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US on August 19, 2024. Photo Reuters
Ohio police have rejected recent claims made by Senator JD Vance, the Republican vice-presidential nominee, regarding Haitian immigrants abducting and eating pets in the area.
Vance had asserted on social media that the city's immigrant population was responsible for harming animals, sparking viral attention.
However, the Springfield Police Division issued a statement confirming there were no credible reports to support these allegations.
Vance's claims, which were amplified by prominent conservative commentators such as Charlie Kirk and Senator Ted Cruz, appear to have originated from an unverified post in a local Facebook group.
Despite the post going viral and receiving millions of views, local authorities emphasized that there was no evidence of any such criminal activities by Haitian immigrants.
The accusations have been condemned by leaders within the Haitian community as racist and baseless, further fueling tensions over immigration in the area.
Vance’s campaign, while acknowledging a high volume of concerned calls from local residents, provided no proof to substantiate the senator's claims.
Haitian immigrants in Springfield are legally residing in the area under the federal Immigration Parole Program, according to city officials.