‘Worrying’: Springfield rocked by bomb threat after Trump spreads pet-eating rumours

An American town has been rocked after Donald Trump amplified false claims about migrants eating pets.

The American city of Springfield has been left rattled by bomb threats days after Donald Trump amplified false claims about migrants eating pets in the small town.

Springfield, in Ohio, has been thrust into the spotlight in recent days after an unfounded story of Haitian migrants stealing and eating pets went viral on social media – a narrative Mr Trump repeated in Tuesday’s presidential debate despite it being debunked.

A bomb threat had been issued to “multiple facilities” throughout the town, prompting City Hall to be evacuated.

A local school, Fulton Elementary, was also evacuated Thursday, though it was not immediately clear if it was related to the same bomb threat.

Arriving at the school to retrieve his child, Haitian immigrant Mackenso Roseme told AFP that the current tensions in the community were “worrying.”

“I’m a little stressed. I think something might happen,” he said.

A sign in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole informed Roseme and other parents that the students had been moved to a high school.

A Dayton police officer and his dog return to their vehicle after sweeping the Springfield City Hall grounds for explosives. Picture: Roberto Schmidt/AFP

Police officers stand outside the Springfield City Hall after bomb threats were made. Picture: Roberto Schmidt/AFP

“City of Springfield received a bomb threat that has prompted an immediate response from local and regional law enforcement,” a post from the city council read.

“Our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our employees and residents. We are working to address this situation as swiftly as possible.”

Officials were alerted to the threat via an email sent at 8.24am on Thursday.

“The email was sent to multiple agencies and media outlets,” it added.

The bomb threat came from someone claiming to be from Springfield and mentioned Haitian immigration issues, the local Springfield News-Sun newspaper reported Mayor Rob Rue as saying.

Springfield, with a population of about 58,000, has seen an increase in Haitian immigrants in recent years – 10,000 to 15,000 according to the newspaper.

“They’re eating the dogs”

Debate moderator David Muir was quick to shut down the pet-eating conspiracy theory when peddled by Mr Trump during Tuesday’s clash between the former President and Vice President Kamala Harris.

“They’re eating the pets of the people that live there, and this is what’s happening in our country, and it’s a shame,” Mr Trump said during the debate.

As Ms Harris shook her head and laughed, Mr Trump added: “People are saying their dog was eaten by people”.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump repeated the false claims during Wednesday’s presidential debate. Picture: Saul Loeb/AFP

Mr Muir stepped in to debunk the theory, quoting the town manager of Springfield.

“He told us there have been no credible reports of specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community,” Mr Muir said.

“Well, I’ve seen people on television,” Mr Trump argued.

“The people on television say my dog was taken and used for food. So maybe he said that and maybe that’s a good thing to say for a city manager.”

Debate moderator David Muir was quick to shut down the rumours. Picture: Channel 9

Despite the bomb threats, Trump was still reposting memes related to the conspiracy theory hours later on his Truth Social platform.

He claimed Ohio was being “inundated with Illegal Migrants, mostly from Haiti, who are taking over Towns and Villages at a level and rate never seen before.”

The White House had warned on Tuesday that such rhetoric could lead to real-life dangers in the community.

“This kind of disinformation is dangerous because there will be people that believe it, no matter how ludicrous and stupid it is, and they might act on that kind of information and act on it in a way where somebody could get hurt,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

“So it needs to stop.”

Originally published as ‘Worrying’: Springfield rocked by bomb threat after Trump spreads pet-eating rumours