The rumor mill about immigrants attacking household pets got its start in thinly sourced anecdotes shared at government meetings and on social media. But it really got going when AI-generated images and video that memeified the stories went viral.

However, the Springfield, Ohio, police department confirmed Monday that it found “no credible reports” of immigrants—illegal or legal—harming or eating pets, and no evidence of other concerning illegal behavior. Karen Graves, the city’s strategic engagement manager, released the following statement on Monday:

To justify his misinformation, the Republican vice presidential candidate cited a report from a woman whose lost cat turned up, very much alive, in her own basement.

Immigrants eating pets' has long been used to vilify Asian immigrants. Now it's being used to malign Haitians.

Donald Trump’s running mate JD Vance has dug in on his claim Haitians in an Ohio community are abducting and eating pets, even as the state’s GOP governor and other officials insist there is no evidence of such behavior.