Trump’s running mate Vance doubles down on false ‘pet-eating’ claims

“It comes from firsthand accounts from my constituents. I say that we’re creating a story, meaning we’re creating the American media focusing on it.”

Vance is a US senator who represents Ohio.

He first brought up the animal-eating claims last week, before Trump amplified them at his first presidential debate against Kamala Harris.

Since then, Springfield city officials have repeatedly debunked the claims.

Mayor Rob Rue told the BBC that the conspiracy theories – and Trump’s pledge to “mass deport” migrants from Springfield – were hurting the town.

“People’s pets are safe in Springfield, Ohio, ” Rue told the BBC’s Newshour programme. “We reached out to the JD Vance Campaign to let them know that we do not have any evidence that has happened, and I’ve made it known in multiple interviews that this is absolutely not true.”

“We need folks to understand, especially those that have a microphone that’s being listened to around the world, they need to understand the weight of their words and how it can negatively affect communities.”

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, on ABC’s This Week called the rumours “a piece of garbage that was simply not true”.

Springfield had to evacuate three schools and other city buildings last week due to threats, at least one of which made disparaging comments about Haitians.

Police at Wittenberg University said in a campus, external alert that an email sent on Saturday threatened a shooting the following day.

“The message targeted Haitian members of our community, ” police said. “All students, faculty and staff should exercise extreme precaution and be alert to all your surroundings.”