Watch: Woman arrested for eating a cat amid Springfield pet controversy
Police have released video footage of an American woman being arrested for eating a cat – 170 miles away from Springfield, Ohio where Donald Trump claimed Haitian immigrants were devouring pets.
The arrest took place in Canton on August 16 after police received several calls from the public.
According to a police report Allexis Ferrell, 27, smashed the cat’s head with her foot and then started eating it.
Police said they saw fur on the woman’s lips and blood on her feet.
She has been charged with animal cruelty, disorderly conduct and breaking laws regarding a “companion animal.”
Ferrell was born in Ohio and graduated from Canton McKinley High School in 2015.
She is due to appear in court again on October 15.
Details emerged against a backdrop of claims that Haitian immigrants in Springfield were kidnapping and eating pets.
The rumours, which had been flying around social media, have seen residents keep their pets indoors, rather than run the risk of losing them.
Trump repeated the claims during his debate on Tuesday with Kamala Harris.
Town officials have said that there was no evidence this has taken place.
“In response to recent rumours 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, “ they said in a statement.
“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.”