WASHINGTON 

Ohio Gov. Mike Dewine backed local state officials Wednesday who have denied anti-migrant rumors that are circulating among conservatives, just hours after former US President Donald Trump repeated them on national television

"I think we should take the word of the city manager and the mayor that they have found no credible evidence of that story, of Haitians eating pets," DeWine said at an event in Springfield, according to the 10 WBNS television network.

Springfield is experiencing a surge in Haitian arrivals, but Trump went on an anti-migrant screed Tuesday night, repeating claims denied by officials, that they are eating pets.

"In Springfield, they're eating the dogs, the people that came in, they're eating the cats. They're eating the pets of the people that live there. And this is what's happening in our country, and it's a shame," he said.

"She's destroying this country, and if she becomes president, this country doesn't have a chance of success, not only success will end up being Venezuela on steroids," he added, referring to his Democratic challenger, Vice President Kamala Harris.

Trump was fact-checked in real-time by debate moderate David Muir, who reiterated the officials' denials, but he insisted that "people on television" are making the claims.

"Talk about extreme," retorted Harris. "This is, I think, one of the reasons why in this election, I actually have the endorsement of 200 Republicans." ​​​​​​​