A Minneapolis city council member, Jason Chavez, expressed concerns about the safety of pets, particularly cats, in relation to self-driving vehicles, specifically those operated by Waymo. During a city council meeting, Chavez stated, "I will say cats have been killed and cats have been killed by these autonomous vehicles. I have a cat. I don’t want my cat getting killed because of these autonomous vehicles." He urged officials to require human operators in all autonomous vehicles.
The ordinance proposing this requirement narrowly passed on Thursday, but Mayor Jacob Frey announced plans to veto it, stating that it "doesn’t make sense" and that the city aims to embrace innovative technology. Frey acknowledged safety concerns but opposed what he termed a "backdoor ban" on autonomous vehicles.
Supporters of the ordinance argue that requiring a human operator would effectively ban autonomous taxi services and increase fares, while opponents claim the technology poses safety risks and could lead to job losses.
Chavez's remarks prompted significant backlash on social media, with users criticizing him for focusing on pet safety rather than more pressing issues facing the city. Townhall columnist Dustin Grage remarked on X, "The Minneapolis City Council wants to require a human in driverless vehicles because cats are being ‘murdered’ by them," highlighting Chavez's salary of $110,000 per year.
Other commentators, including conservative voices, echoed concerns about the council's priorities, suggesting that the city should address larger issues such as crime and fraud instead. Some users defended the technology, citing personal experiences with self-driving vehicles that avoid animals on the road.
Fox News Digital reached out to Chavez for further comment.