Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) is rejecting allegations that migrants are eating pet cats and dogs in his state.
During an interview on CBS News on Wednesday, the governor was asked if anyone was “eating dogs or cats illegally” in Ohio.
“This is something that came up on the internet, and the internet can be quite crazy sometimes,” DeWine responded.
He added, “And, look, the mayor and Mayor Rue of Springfield says there’s no truth in that. They have no evidence of that at all. So I think we go with what the mayor says. He knows his city.”
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The question stemmed from a debunked story of Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, eating residents’ pet cats.
The claims went viral after a resident made the allegation during a City Commission in August.
Former President Donald Trump mentioned the allegations during his debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, saying, “In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs. The people … are eating the cats. They’re eating the pets of the people that live there. This is what’s happening in our country.”
However, the Springfield Police Department told Spectrum News, “There have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community.”
“Additionally, there have been no verified instances of immigrants engaging in illegal activities such as squatting or littering in front of residents’ homes,” the law enforcement statement continued. “Furthermore, no reports have been made regarding members of the immigrant community deliberately disrupting traffic.”
Meanwhile, Springfield Mayor Rob Rue said during a press conference, “We wish to clarify that we have not been able to verify any credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured, or abused by individuals within the immigrant community.
“The news story regarding a cat being killed or consumed did not originate in Springfield. It actually involved a Canton woman who was arrested for animal cruelty last month,” he added.
