Haitian leaders in South Florida blast JD Vance for ‘vile and false’ accusations of pet-eating
Image via AP.

JD Vance
‘This kind of rhetoric does nothing but spread fear, misinformation, and hate.’

Republican Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance is making headlines again, this time for spreading an unsubstantiated rumor that Haitian migrants are stealing and eating pets in Ohio.

Yes, you read that right.

Now Haitian leaders in South Florida are taking Vance to task.

North Miami Democratic Rep. Dotie Joseph said that as a lawyer, Vance knows how to research and should be disciplined for his “racist and xenophobic claims, which he certainly knew and should have known to be fraudulent, even if he doesn’t ‘practice’ law.”

“As a fellow graduate of Yale, who also happens be Haitian-born lawyer engaged in public service, but actually knows how to research and believes in truth and integrity, I’ll offer some free advice: Just say you’re losing and desperate for political attention. We all see it,” she said in a statement.

“The conman compulsion to deflect from your inadequacies by scapegoating immigrants, especially Black ones, is plain pathetic. Just keep your ignorant, asinine accusations to yourself; and focus on kissing the one piece of flesh you actually care about.”

Hollywood Democratic Rep. Marie Woodson said that Vance’s comments appalled her, she is taking the proverbial high road.

“While Vance seeks power in desperation, as a Haitian-American serving the people of House District 105 and the State of Florida, I choose to rise above,” she told Florida Politics by text.

“Let’s focus on electing a credible, qualified, and humane President for the United States. We must reject the hatred, division, racism, and lies that Vance and some others promote. Is this truly the leader some people want? We need leaders who can unite us and move the country forward. Our resilience as Haitian-Americans will be shown when we vote for Harris/Walz on Nov. 5.”

Coral Springs Commissioner Nancy Metayer Bowen, whom Kamala Harris’ campaign tapped last month to lead her Caribbean American voter push, called Vance’s comments a “disgusting and unfounded attack on a community that has made tremendous contributions to this country.”

“This kind of rhetoric does nothing but spread fear, misinformation, and hate,” she said in a statement.

“As a proud daughter of Haitian immigrants, I know firsthand the values, resilience, and cultural richness that Haitians bring to our nation. To see such an unfounded narrative being pushed by an elected official is not only disheartening but an insult to all immigrant communities.”

Linda Joseph, Chair of the Haitian-led Ayisyen Pou Harris grassroots initiative that recently opened a new North Miami campaign office, offered similarly stern sentiments.

“How dare JD Vance spread such vile and false accusations about our community,” she said in a statement.

“These words are not only offensive but demonstrate a profound ignorance of who we are as a people. Haitian immigrants are proud, hardworking individuals who enrich the American experience with our culture, values, and contributions. We will not allow anyone, especially a sitting U.S. Senator, to tarnish our image with such reprehensible lies.”

On Monday, Donald Trump’s presidential campaign promoted the false claim that Haitian immigrants in the Ohio municipality of Springfield have been abducting and eating their neighbors’ pets. Earlier that day and in comments prior, Vance, other Republican lawmakers and several conservative commentators made the same assertion, without evidence.

Vance amplified the disparaging claim online Monday as well, writing on X at 10:22 a.m., “Months ago, I raised the issue of Haitian illegal immigrants draining social services and generally causing chaos all over Springfield, Ohio. Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who should not be in this country. Where is our border czar?”

Eight hours later, the post had more than 4 million views.

“The fabrications are not just insulting, they are part of a plan to demonize Haitians and by extension, all immigrants and people of color in general. It is definitely a step towards discrimination and persecution,” Miami-Dade Commissioner Marleine Bastien, the first Haitian woman to sit on the panel, said in a statement.

As for where Vance and the Trump campaign got the idea, a Vance spokesperson told NBC News he “received a high volume of calls and emails over the past several weeks from concerned citizens in Springfield,” and “his tweet is based on what he is hearing from them.”

The Springfield Police Division said in a statement Monday that while the agency was aware of such rumors, it had no information to support them.

“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,” the agency told NBC News in a statement.

“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.”

Metayer Bowen said Vance’s reckless words amounted to “more than just a misguided comment.”

“It is a dangerous lie that fuels xenophobia and racism against Haitian Americans and other immigrant groups,” she said. “Our leaders should be fostering unity and truth, not spreading baseless accusations that only serve to divide and demean.”

Jesse Scheckner

Jesse Scheckner has covered South Florida with a focus on Miami-Dade County since 2012. His work has been recognized by the Hearst Foundation, Society of Professional Journalists, Florida Society of News Editors, Florida MMA Awards and Miami New Times. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @JesseScheckner.


14 comments

  • Ocean Joe

    September 9, 2024 at 6:44 pm

    Reminds me of our former president reading “My Pet Goat” to first graders while the world was on fire. OK Mr. Vance, come up with some cat or dog remains with empty Red Stripes or hush till the election is over.

  • Yrral

    September 9, 2024 at 6:56 pm

    JD Vance know when he goes back in the Senate,he gonna be some kind of weird

  • ELVIS [FKA EARL]

    September 9, 2024 at 7:23 pm

    Everyone needs to just Relax their Political Sphincters as if you have ever eaten “Chickin” in a Chinese Restaurant you have also “Eaten CAT”.
    Me & JD are still whizzed about those Haitians eating a pet but on the bright side I bet it was pretty good eating for those starving Haitians who are being abused by the Harris/Biden administration.
    The only “CORRECT” thing to do is “VOTE TRUMP” for POTUS.
    Yeah this “CAT THING” is a “HOT MESS” BUT:
    You know your TRUMP VOTE is the One And Only thing which will fix the HORRORS brought on by The “UN-SAGE” HARRIS ADMINISTRATION.
    Again America, Stop The Madness with your TRUMP VOTE.
    Thank you America,
    ELVIS [FKA EARL]

    • rick whitaker

      September 10, 2024 at 3:14 pm

      EARL SHITTS, your fear and lies are not helpful. spreading lies like you do is not funny no matter how you pretend that it is. EARL ( born, billy purser ), we all got your number. lameness is your MO. funny is NOT what you are. i don’t get tired of pointing out your distasteful crap, i’ve got all day everyday to expose you for the creep you are. i’m retired and it is not boring sparing with you. you’re an easy mark.

  • Michael K

    September 9, 2024 at 7:36 pm

    There is no bottom to the lies and depravity of this ticket. Both are morally bankrupt and unfit to serve.

  • Politics 🤣

    September 9, 2024 at 8:05 pm

    So. E thing about all that vudo
    But Fred is the interest right now

  • Tom

    September 9, 2024 at 8:11 pm

    Are you guys saying that all the videos and accounts of recent immigrants in Ohio that were arrested and filmed with cats, dogs and geese are fake?????

    • rick whitaker

      September 10, 2024 at 3:19 pm

      TOM, are you trying to convince yourself or others? of course all that ohio immigrant fear is made up. maga couldn’t exist without lies. tom, you ought to be ashamed for posting lies.

  • Politics 🤣

    September 9, 2024 at 8:32 pm

    Idk but they really have to get rid of chicken feathers and human hair in breads.. I had a dream once with hair ball in my airway and I just kept pulling it out. Then I found out human Amino acid

  • Yrral

    September 9, 2024 at 9:43 pm

    May a voodoo priest curse Republicans for a 100 years without the Presidency

  • Childless Cat Lady

    September 9, 2024 at 10:24 pm

    “…..when they reveal to you who they are …… believe them”

    Republicans are showing their true colors. Dividing Americans is their game. Don’t let them win.

  • Sandy Johnston

    September 10, 2024 at 10:20 am

    Tommy, you’re confused.
    It was TRUMP that was ARRESTED.
    It was Trump who was FILMED saying “Grab ’em by the pussy. You can do anything. You know, I’m automatically attracted to beautiful — I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait.”
    And those are just the nice things he’s done.

  • Bill Pollard

    September 10, 2024 at 10:20 am

    We have many Haitian immigrants in my area, but I never heard of pets disappearing. This is complete nonsense.

    • rick whitaker

      September 10, 2024 at 3:22 pm

      BILL POLLARD, nonsense seems to be the maga ace card.

Comments are closed.


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