PHOENIX — The Arizona Republican Party is running with the claim, without evidence, that immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, are stealing people's pets and eating them.
The Arizona GOP put up 12 billboards around the Phoenix metro with the message "EAT LESS KITTENS. Vote Republican." The billboards feature kittens in cow costumes and look very similar to Chick-fil-A's signature billboards.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: El Partido Republicano de Arizona lanza campaña publicitaria sobre afirmaciones desacreditadas de que los inmigrantes se comen a las mascotas
The billboards are in response to claims by Republicans that migrants are eating people's pets in Ohio.
"Months ago, I raised the issue of Haitian illegal immigrants draining social services and generally causing chaos all over Springfield, Ohio," JD Vance said in a post on X. "Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldn't be in this country. Where is our border czar?"
A press release from Donald Trump’s campaign claims “migrants have reportedly been caught 'decapitating ducks' and hunting geese and other livestock in public parks — and even kidnapping residents’ pets — then eating them.”
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz shared a meme of cats hugging with text on top of the image that says, “Please vote for Trump so Haitian immigrants don’t eat us.”
According to Springfield officials, there is no evidence to support the claims.
“In response to recent rumors alleging criminal activity by the immigrant population in our city, we wish to clarify that there have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community,” Karen Graves, a spokesperson with the City of Springfield told VERIFY.
“Additionally, there have been no verified instances of immigrants engaging in illegal activities such as squatting or littering in front of residents’ homes. Furthermore, no reports have been made regarding members of the immigrant community deliberately disrupting traffic,” Graves said.
The Springfield Police Division hasn’t received reports of pets being stolen and eaten, the Springfield News-Sun reported.
A Chick-fil-A spokesperson said the company did not give the Arizona GOP permission to use its branding style for the billboards.
TEGNA's VERIFY contributed to this report.
Decision 2024
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