You've probably seen the headlines or heard the rumors swirling around social media lately. It’s one of those claims that starts as a whisper and turns into a roar overnight. People are asking, quite bluntly: do Haitians eat dogs and cats? It’s a heavy question. It’s also one that sits at the intersection of cultural misunderstanding, intense political rhetoric, and the harsh realities of extreme poverty. To get to the truth, we have to look past the viral clips and actually look at how life works on the ground in Haiti and within the diaspora.
Honestly, the short answer is no—not in any way that represents a "cultural norm."
Eating domestic pets is not a part of Haitian cuisine. If you walk through the streets of Port-au-Prince or the rural villages in the Artibonite Valley, you won’t find dog meat on the menu. You’ll find griot (fried pork), tassot (fried goat), and diri ak pwa (rice and beans). These are the staples. To suggest otherwise isn't just a reach; it’s a fundamental misunderstanding of what Haitian people value.
Where did the rumor start?
The internet is a wild place. Recently, specifically in 2024 and heading into 2026, claims surfaced regarding Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. These claims suggested that residents were seeing their pets being taken and eaten. Local police, the city manager, and even the Governor of Ohio, Mike DeWine, have repeatedly stated there is zero credible evidence to support these specific reports.
When things go viral, they lose nuance.
Often, these stories stem from a single, unverified post that gets amplified by people with specific political agendas. In the case of Springfield, the rumors were debunked by the very officials responsible for public safety. It’s a classic example of how "information" travels faster than the truth can put its shoes on.
Understanding the cultural reality in Haiti
Haiti is a complex country. It’s a place of incredible resilience and deep spiritual traditions. In the Haitian household, dogs are generally kept for security. They are "watchdogs" in the truest sense of the word. They guard the gates. They alert families to intruders. Because of this functional role, there is a level of respect for the animal, even if the relationship isn't always the "sleeping-on-the-bed" style of pet ownership common in the U.S.
Cats? They're for pest control.
Rats and mice are a real problem in tropical climates. A good "mizachè" (mouser) is worth its weight in gold.
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Now, does a starving person, in a moment of absolute desperation, do things that fall outside the norm? We have to be honest about the context. Haiti has faced catastrophic food insecurity. The UN World Food Programme has reported that nearly half the population faces acute hunger. In a survival situation—whether it’s a famine, a war zone, or a total societal collapse—humans throughout history have been pushed to extremes. But that is a story of desperation, not a story of culture.
The difference between culture and crisis
It’s vital to distinguish between what a culture is and what individuals might do under the threat of death. We’ve seen historical accounts of people eating leather, grass, and yes, domestic animals, during the Siege of Paris in 1870 or the Great Famine in China. Nobody claims that French culture is based on eating zoo animals.
When we talk about whether do Haitians eat dogs and cats, we are usually talking about an ethnic slur dressed up as a "concern."
In Haitian culture, certain foods are prized. Goat is high-status. Fish is a coastal staple. Chicken is for Sunday dinner. The idea of eating a dog is generally viewed with the same level of disgust in Haiti as it is in the United States. There is a specific Creole word for people who might engage in such "taboo" behaviors, and it isn't a compliment. It's used to describe someone who has lost their dignity or their "moun"—their personhood.
Let’s talk about the Springfield, Ohio situation
Springfield became the flashpoint for this conversation. Why? Because the town saw a rapid influx of about 15,000 to 20,000 Haitian immigrants over a few years. They came legally, mostly under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), to fill jobs in manufacturing and distribution centers that locals weren't filling.
Whenever you have a rapid demographic shift, friction happens.
There were legitimate complaints about traffic safety and the strain on the school system. But then, the "pet-eating" narrative was injected into the mix. It served as a powerful, visceral way to dehumanize a group of people. If you can convince someone that their neighbor is eating a cat, you’ve effectively killed any chance of empathy.
Local law enforcement searched their records. They found nothing. No police reports of stolen pets being cooked. No arrests. Just hearsay.
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The role of voodoo and misconceptions
Sometimes, these rumors get tangled up with misconceptions about Vodou (Voodoo). People see animal sacrifice in religious rituals and jump to wild conclusions. In Vodou, animals like chickens, goats, or bulls might be sacrificed. These animals are then typically cooked and eaten as part of a communal feast. It’s a sacred act.
Dogs and cats are not part of these rituals.
The sacrifice of a goat in a religious context is not that different from a "halal" or "kosher" slaughter, yet it’s often portrayed in a "spooky" or "savage" light because of Hollywood's portrayal of Haitian spirituality.
Why these stories keep coming back
It's a "zombie myth." It dies, then it's resurrected whenever someone needs a scapegoat.
- Fear of the "Other": Food taboos are the easiest way to make a group of people seem "alien."
- Confirmation Bias: If someone already dislikes a group, they will believe any story that makes that group look bad, regardless of the lack of evidence.
- The Attention Economy: Outrageous claims get more clicks than a headline saying "Haitian Immigrants are Working Hard in Factories."
In reality, the Haitian diaspora in the U.S. is largely focused on church, family, and sending money back home (remittances). They are driving the economy in places like Springfield. They are buying homes that were previously abandoned. They are opening bakeries.
The verdict on the keyword
So, when people search do Haitians eat dogs and cats, the factual answer is a resounding "No." It is not a cultural practice. It is not a culinary tradition. It is a myth that has been debunked by authorities, anthropologists, and anyone who has actually lived in Haiti.
If you want to understand Haitian food, look at pâté, bouillon, or soup joumou. The latter is a pumpkin soup that represents Haitian independence. It was once a dish forbidden to the enslaved people by the French. When they won their freedom in 1804, they made it their national dish. That is the story of Haitian food: a story of liberty, not a story of eating pets.
How to verify these claims yourself
If you see a viral post claiming something like this, don't just hit share. Do a bit of digging.
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- Check for official police reports from the specific city mentioned.
- Look for statements from local government officials who are actually on the ground.
- Ask: "Is this photo actually from this town?" (Often, photos used in these posts are years old and from different countries).
- Consider the source. Is the person posting it an expert on the region, or are they an "influencer" looking for engagement?
The world is complicated enough without adding fake stories to the mix. Understanding the truth about do Haitians eat dogs and cats requires looking at the people themselves, rather than the caricatures drawn of them.
Actionable steps for the curious
If you’re genuinely interested in Haitian culture and want to move past the stereotypes, here’s how to do it properly.
First, go to a Haitian restaurant. If you’re in a city like Miami, New York, or Boston—or even Springfield—find a spot that serves legim. It’s a vegetable stew that will change your mind about what Haitian cooking is. It’s labor-intensive, rich, and deeply savory.
Second, look into the history of the 1804 revolution. Haiti was the first country to permanently ban slavery. That history defines their pride. A people with that much pride aren't looking to eat the neighborhood cat.
Finally, read reports from organizations like the Haitian Times or AyiboPost. These are outlets run by Haitians who report on the nuances of their society. They provide the context that a 30-second TikTok clip never could. By supporting actual journalism, you help drown out the noise of misinformation.
The next time you hear someone bring up this topic, you can confidently explain that it’s a debunked myth. Education is the only real cure for prejudice. We have to be better at vetting what we consume, just as much as we care about what we eat. The truth is usually a lot more boring than the rumors, but it’s a lot more important.
Stick to the facts. Respect the culture. Ignore the noise.
Next Steps for Fact-Checking:
- Search the Springfield, Ohio City Government official website for their "Frequently Asked Questions" page regarding immigrant rumors.
- Visit Snopes or PolitiFact to see the chronological debunking of the 2024 viral videos.
- Explore the World Food Programme's Haiti country brief to understand the actual food security challenges being faced in the Caribbean today.