Beloved Mission District Cat Killed by Waymo Self-Driving Car, Sparking Outrage

In the past three weeks, the tragic death of a beloved neighborhood cat in San Francisco's Mission District has ignited a fierce debate over the growing presence of self-driving cars in the city.

On October 27th, the tabby cat known as "Kit Kat" was run over and killed by a Waymo self-driving taxi just outside the local dive bar, Delirium. Kit Kat, affectionately called the "Mayor of 16th Street," was a fixture in the community, often bar-hopping and receiving chin rubs from the regulars. His sudden and gruesome death has left the locals devastated and angry, with many blaming Waymo's expansion for the tragedy.

Hundreds of animals are killed by human drivers in San Francisco each year, but the death of this single cat has sparked outrage, with some residents terming the autonomous vehicles as "unnecessary" and "terrifying." A city supervisor has called for state leaders to give residents more control over self-driving taxis, arguing that there is no one to hold accountable when such incidents occur.

The debate has intensified as Waymo's presence in the city has grown rapidly in recent years. The company, owned by Alphabet (Google's parent), now has a fleet of 1,000 vehicles in the Bay Area and is expanding its services to the airport and beyond. While many residents, especially women, find the self-driving cars a safer option than traditional ride-hailing, the loss of Kit Kat has reignited concerns about the impact of automation on the city's character and community.

As the memorials and memes honoring Kit Kat continue to spread, the future of Waymo's operations in San Francisco remains uncertain, with residents determined to ensure their beloved neighborhood cats and pedestrians are protected from the potential dangers of autonomous vehicles.