Former US President Donald Trump’s claims about migrants eating pets are false, after authorities in Canton, Ohio, released disturbing bodycam footage of a woman accused of killing and eating a cat, reigniting a wave of speculation and misinformation tied to a growing national controversy. Allexis Ferrell, 27, a lifelong resident of Canton, was arrested on August 16 after neighbours called the police, horrified by what they had witnessed.
Ferrell, described in the police report as having “fur on her lips and blood on her hands,” was caught in the act by officers who arrived to find her squatting over the cat’s body. The shocking incident was made even more bizarre by the release of bodycam footage, in which Ferrell is seen covered in blood, refusing to respond to questions about her actions. One officer can be heard asking, “Did you eat that cat?” to which Ferrell, baring her teeth slightly, shakes her head but remains silent.
The incident occurred just as rumors were circulating about Haitian migrants allegedly eating pets in nearby Springfield, Ohio—claims that have been widely debunked by authorities. However, Ferrell’s arrest, despite having no connection to these migrants, has fed into online conspiracy theories and a broader debate ignited by former President Donald Trump during a recent presidential debate.
False Claims By Trump
Trump’s inflammatory remarks about migrants “eating pets” in Springfield have sparked outrage. He claimed, without evidence, that Haitian migrants were responsible for killing and eating cats and dogs in Springfield, 172 miles from Canton, where Ferrell’s arrest took place. The former president’s comments have been amplified by his running mate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, who repeated these accusations in public speeches.
During a heated debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump reiterated the unsubstantiated claim, stating, “In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs… They’re eating the cats… They’re eating the pets of the people that live there.” Despite moderator David Muir pointing out that no credible reports of such activity existed, Trump insisted, “I’ve seen people on television say my dog was taken and used for food.”
Springfield city officials and police have worked hard to dispel these rumors. “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,” a Springfield police spokesperson said. The claims originated at a city commission meeting in July, where angry residents voiced concerns about the 15,000 Haitian migrants who have arrived since 2020 under Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Some residents accused the migrants of capturing ducks and other animals for food, though none of these accusations have been proven.
As for Ferrell, Canton police have made it clear that her case has no connection to the migrant community. “The suspect in this case is not a Haitian immigrant,” Canton police spokesperson Dennis Garren emphasized. “She is a lifelong Canton resident.”
Long Criminal History
Ferrell, who has a lengthy criminal history including charges of cocaine possession, child endangerment, and theft, is currently being held at the Stark County Jail. She faces charges of cruelty to companion animals, a fifth-degree felony, and her bond has been set at $100,000. A competency hearing has been scheduled for October 15, where she will appear before Stark County Common Pleas Judge Frank G. Forchione. Ferrell has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
The bodycam footage of her arrest shows a visibly disturbed scene. One officer asks nearby witnesses, “Did you see her eating it?” to which one onlooker replies, “Yeah.” Another adds, “It was gross.” The officers are later heard discussing how Ferrell allegedly “stomped the head out” of the cat before eating it.
Despite the shocking nature of Ferrell’s crime, Canton police have reiterated that the incident is not part of a larger pattern. However, the video and its circulation online have only fueled the fire of ongoing debates about immigration and safety in Ohio. While the case may seem to align with the fears stirred by political rhetoric, it is, by all accounts, an isolated and deeply troubling event.
