Miss Sassy Pants, a missing cat from Springfield, Ohio, was recently found safe after her owner, Anna Kilgore, reported her disappearance in August.
The cat had been hiding in the basement and reappeared days after Kilgore called the police. Kilgore’s report was cited by JD Vance’s campaign as evidence to support concerns that pets in Springfield were being stolen by Haitian immigrants.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Vance’s team shared Kilgore’s police report to bolster their claims, but it was later revealed that Miss Sassy had never been in danger. Kilgore, who supports Donald Trump, apologized to her Haitian neighbors after the misunderstanding was cleared up.
Despite Miss Sassy’s safe return, rumors about pets being stolen and eaten have persisted in Springfield. Local officials, including Springfield Mayor Rob Rue and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, have dismissed these claims as baseless. However, the conspiracy gained further attention when Trump mentioned it during a debate against Kamala Harris.
While Vance has not retracted his statements, Trump’s campaign has shifted its focus to other issues in Springfield. Local authorities remain concerned about the spread of false rumors, which has led to unrest and numerous bomb threats in the area.
