Ohio video of 'woman eating cat' circulates online after Trump levelled migrant claim
CANTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
Sickening bodycam footage has shown a woman in Ohio allegedly killing and eating a cat after Donald Trump’s astonishing pet-snatching claims in his head-to-head debate with Kamala Harris on Tuesday night.
The video, released by Canton Police Department, showed Buckeye State native Alexi Ferrell on all fours.
An officer was then heard asking the 27-year-old: “What did you do?”
The suspect is facing charges after she allegedly killed and ate a cat on August 16.
Ferrell was charged with prohibitions concerning companion animals, cruelty to animals, and disorderly conduct.
The local police report claimed: “The defendant did torture, kill and eat a cat in a residential area in front [of] multiple people.”
Ferrell is being held at Stark County Jail with a set bond of $100,000.
The 27-year-old pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, according to Canton Repository.
Ferrell, who is not an immigrant, has had a competency hearing scheduled for October 15.
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ReutersHowever, concern about people eating pets came to the fore on Tuesday night after Trump clashed with Harris over immigrants entering the US.
Trump said: "In Springfield, they're eating the dogs, the people that came in.”
The 45th President added: “They're eating the pets of the people that live there.”
However, fact-checkers were on hand to point out there had been “no credible reports” to support Trump’s claim.
Local officials in Ohio have also spoken out against Trump’s claim.
Ferrell is being held at Stark County Jail with a set bond of $100,000
CANTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
Karen Graves, Springfield's Strategic Engagement Manager, released a statement on the rumors.
She said: "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.
"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."
Springfield Mayer Bob Rue added: "Rumors like these are taking away from the real issues such as housing concerns, resources needed for our school and our overwhelmed health care system.”