They were initially spread online in August on social platforms used by far-right extremists and by Blood Tribe, a neo-Nazi hate group.
Springfield officials and police say they have received no credible reports of pets being harmed by members of the immigrant community, instead suggesting the story may have originated in Canton, Ohio, where an American woman with no known connection to Haiti was arrested in August for allegedly stomping a cat to death and eating the animal.
When Haitian immigrants began trickling into Springfield to work in local produce packaging and machining factories in 2017, some thought the new residents could help the city regain its former vigor as a once-thriving manufacturing hub. Once home to major agricultural machinery companies in the mid-20th century, Springfield has lost a quarter of its population since the 1960s.
Several days later, a leading member of Blood Tribe who identified himself as Nathaniel Higgers, but whose real name is Drake Berentz, spoke at a Springfield city commission meeting.
The same group has marched in South Dakota and Tennessee this year.
But many Haitians have been targeted in Springfield.
The effect is plainly obvious.
Rollins said she has received threats that the St Vincent de Paul branch would be destroyed for its support of Haitians.
