Minneapolis City Councilmember Jason Chavez drew ridicule after claiming Waymo self-driving cars were killing pets, particularly cats. During a meeting, Chavez urged officials to require human drivers in autonomous vehicles for safety reasons. His comments sparked criticism on social media, with users questioning the focus on cat deaths over other city issues and suggesting it was a misuse of public funds. Mayor Jacob Frey later announced plans to veto the proposed ordinance, citing concerns about stifling technological innovation.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-03,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In Minneapolis, Jason Chavez, a city council member, sparked ridicule online by claiming that self-driving cars made by Waymo are killing cats. During a council meeting, Chavez asserted, "I will say cats have been killed and cats have been killed by these autonomous vehicles," urging officials to require human operators in the vehicles for safety reasons. The ordinance proposing this requirement narrowly passed but faces potential veto from Mayor Jacob Frey, who supports innovative technology and believes mandating human operators would make little sense. Chavez's statements were met with widespread mockery on social media, with many jokingly advising cat owners to take precautions.
Written for “Self Driving Cars And Pets” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
One Minneapolis city council member prompted widespread mockery on social media after going to bat for "cat lovers," claiming Waymo cars are killing cats and urging officials to require humans in the self-driving vehicles.
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cars → prompt → vehicles
"I will say cats have been killed and cats have been killed by these autonomous vehicles," Jason Chavez said to his fellow council members.
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Chavez → say → members
"I have a cat, I don't want my cat getting killed because of these autonomous vehicles so to those cat lovers out there, just know that these Waymo vehicles, these autonomous vehicles have killed cats and that's unfair.
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that → have → cats
I just watched a video sitting here from the dais and it was really hard to watch.
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it → watch → dais
Literally cats being murdered by these vehicles."
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cats → murder → vehicles
The ordinance, which narrowly passed on Thursday, would mandate a human operator and a special license for all autonomous vehicles.
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which → pass → vehicles
But its future remains uncertain.
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future → remain → ?
Mayor Jacob Frey announced he plans to veto the proposal in a statement to multiple Minnesota outlets, saying it "doesn't make sense" and the city will continue its efforts to embrace "innovative technology," including transportation options.
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city → announce → options
Despite acknowledging the safety concerns, Frey added he would not support a "backdoor ban" of the vehicles.
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he → acknowledge → vehicles
As Waymo vehicles with rooftop sensors and empty seats become a more common sight, supporters argue requiring a human operator would effectively ban autonomous taxi services and result in higher fares, while opponents insist the technology poses safety risks and takes away jobs.
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technology → become → jobs
Social media users were quick to pile on Chavez's remarks about the potential threat to cats, accusing him of blowing the issue out of proportion and shifting focus from more pressing priorities in Minneapolis.
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users → pile → Minneapolis
"The Minneapolis City Council wants to require a human in driverless vehicles because cats are being 'murdered' by them," Townhall columnist Dustin Grage posted on X.
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Grage → want → X.
Grage took more swipes at Chavez in separate X posts, writing, "They're calling it the cat genocide" and, "Hide your cats.
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They → take → cats
The Waymos are coming."
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Waymos → come → ?
In another post on X, conservative commentator Gunther Eagleman wrote, "LOL! MINNEAPOLIS HAS FOUND ITS REAL CRISIS, AND IT'S ROBOT CARS 'MURDERING' CATS."
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IT → write → CATS
Eagleman also argued the city should be addressing larger issues such as crime and fraud, describing the situation as a sign of failed leadership.
"
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city → argue → leadership
A council member in a city that let rioters burn down a police precinct and watched a $250 million fraud scheme happen under its nose now wants a human in every driverless car to protect the cats," he wrote.
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he → let → cats
"He's pulling down $110,000 a year of taxpayer money to say this with a straight face.
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He → pull → face
Minneapolis doesn't have a driverless car problem.
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Minneapolis → have → problem
It has a leadership problem.
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It → have → problem
"
"They're driving over the cats, they're driving over the dogs!"
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they → drive → dogs
Fox News Digital columnist David Marcus posted on X.
"Why is a city council member making 110,000 when families and seniors are getting priced out of their homes in Minneapolis and taxes are sky rocking?????
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taxes → post → Minneapolis
Three Rivers Park Commissioner Jennifer DeJournett posted on X.
"Fwiw I've been in a self-driving Tesla that stopped for cats to cross the road and Waymo is a lot more advanced," journalist Zaid Jilani posted on X.
"My FSD Tesla avoids animals on the road.
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Tesla → post → road
He is full of it," Dealer Teamwork CEO and co-founder Sean Stapleton posted on X.
Fox News Digital reached out to Chavez for comment.
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Digital → post → comment
The Aporia
