'They're Eating The Dogs': Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Surges Resources To Springfield After Trump Claims Haitian Migrants Are Eating Pets During Debate

On Tuesday, Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH) announced that he has directed millions of dollars in funding to help deal with the surge of Haitian migrants in Springfield and Clarke County. The surge of resources to the area comes after the presidential debate on Tuesday night when President Trump told the American people that the migrants in Springfield are "eating the dogs."

"I want the people of Springfield and Clark County to know that as we move forward, we will continue to do everything we can to help the community deal with this surge of migrants," said Governor DeWine. "The federal government has not demonstrated that they have any kind of plan to deal with the issue. We will not walk away." The state will provide more funding for primary care facilities in the impacted areas and ordered the Ohio State Highway Patrol to assist local police with traffic enforcement on top of the existing resources sent to assist Springfield.

"The federal government needs to assist these communities with funding because these dramatic migrant surges impact every citizen in the community -- the moms who have to wait hours in a waiting room with a sick child, everyone who drives on our streets, and the children who go to school in more crowded classrooms," said Governor DeWine. "The federal government does not have a plan to give any support to the communities impacted by surges, and we have absolutely no indication that a plan is coming in the near future."

During the ABC News debate between Harris and Trump, the Republican candidate claimed that the Haitian migrants in Springfield have been seen killing animals and even pets, according to residents. "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," Trump said. Moderator David Muir fact-checked Trump, explaining that the city manager had denied such reports.

A screenshot from the Springfield Ohio Crime and Information Facebook page that circulated on social media earlier this week laid out the danger. "Warning to all about our beloved pets and those around us. My neighbor informed me that her daughter's friend had lost her cat. She checked pages, kennels, asked around, etc," the post reads. "One day, she came home from work, as soon as she stepped out of her car, looked toward a neighbor's house, where Haitians live, and saw her cat hanging from a branch like you'd do a deer for butchering and they were carving it up to eat. I've been told they are doing this to dogs, they have been doing it at Snyder Park with the ducks and geese."

The Facebook post also comes after Springfield residents voiced similar concerns during recent local meetings. During a recent city commission meeting last month in Springfield, a local man pleaded with local officials to take action amid the influx of Haitian migrants to the town. "I really challenge you guys to get out here and do something. These Haitians are running into trash cans, running into buildings... they're flipping cars in the middle of the streets," he said. "They're in the park, grabbing up ducks by their neck, and cutting their head off and walking off with them. They're eating them."

"They're eating the dogs"

The best line ever spoken during a presidential debate. 😂 pic.twitter.com/Ft4GQHti2u

— Neo-Kenny (@Neo_Kenny_) September 11, 2024