Springfield residents react after claims about Haitian migrants put town in spotlight

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WJW) – An online rumor has now spread across the country, but it targets an Ohio city that proudly identifies as “Small Town USA.”

Springfield, just north of Dayton, has a population of about 58,000.

Since 2020, 15,000 Haitian migrants have moved into the city. In recent weeks, however, an internet rumor has put the town in the national spotlight.

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The rumor gained even more attention when former President Donald Trump referenced it during Tuesday night’s presidential debate.

“In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs. The people that came in. They’re eating the cats. They’re eating — they’re eating the pets of the people that live there, and this is what’s happening in our country. It’s a shame,” Trump said.

This is despite statements from Springfield’s city manager and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, both denying any evidence to support these claims.

The national attention on Springfield continues to grow and residents have mixed feelings about the spotlight.

James Cooper, who has lived in Springfield his whole life, has seen the town change, including the influx of Haitian immigrants.

“If you put any large group of people in a smaller town, there is going to be some confusion as far as different cultures,” said Cooper.

What he hasn’t seen, though?

“As far as the whole thing with eating animals, I haven’t seen that. I think that’s a rumor. I don’t think that’s true,” Cooper said.

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Another longtime Springfield resident, Mary Whitmore, acknowledges there are real issues facing the town.

“We have had an overpopulation that has strained the medical systems and the schools,” said Whitmore.

But pet safety isn’t one of them.

“I’ve never heard of anything like that here,” she said.

For now, the rumors continue to fly and the spotlight shines bright. Whether it will help the town solve its issues or hurt them remains unknown.

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