UPDATE: San Francisco’s Mission District is grieving the loss of KitKat, a cherished bodega cat, tragically killed by a Waymo vehicle on Monday night. The incident occurred at 12:51 a.m. in front of Randa’s Market, igniting outrage among local residents and online communities.
Witnesses report that KitKat, a well-loved nine-year-old tabby known for his friendly demeanor, was sitting on the sidewalk when the autonomous vehicle struck him. A complaint filed with the city stated, “The Waymo did not slow down, swerve, or even try to avoid the cat in any way.” The aftermath has left a makeshift memorial of candles and flowers at the scene, with one note reading, “Kill a Waymo, save a cat.”
Mike Zeidan, KitKat’s owner and operator of Randa’s Market, expressed his devastation. “He really was the special, one-of-a-kind thing that brought everybody together,” he said. KitKat was affectionately nicknamed the “Mayor of 16th Street,” drawing visitors from across the city who came to give him treats and affection.
Waymo has confirmed that one of its vehicles encountered KitKat while it was stopped to pick up passengers. A spokesperson stated, “We send our deepest sympathies to the cat’s owner and the community who knew and loved him, and we will be making a donation to a local animal rights organization in his honor.”
The incident raises crucial questions about the safety and reliability of autonomous vehicles. Missy Cummings, director of the Autonomy and Robotics Center at George Mason University, noted that Waymo’s technology does not currently include sensors capable of detecting objects beneath the vehicle. This has led to tragic outcomes in the past, including a similar incident earlier this year involving a dog.
As residents continue to mourn, the memorial for KitKat has transformed into a focal point for protests against Waymo. Social media is abuzz with outrage, with a Reddit thread about KitKat’s death garnering nearly 2,000 upvotes and Randa’s Market’s Instagram post receiving thousands of likes and heated comments directed at Waymo.
Legal experts weigh in on the implications of such incidents. Bryant Walker Smith, a professor at the University of South Carolina, explained that pet owners can typically only seek economic damages in cases involving autonomous vehicles. “The law unfortunately treats pets as mere ‘chattel,’ which complicates how we view their value,” he stated.
As the community grapples with the loss of KitKat, this incident has raised broader concerns about the integration of autonomous vehicles into urban environments. Waymo continues to expand its operations across the Bay Area, prompting urgent discussions about public safety and the responsibilities of tech companies.
Residents are calling for accountability, and many are questioning whether society is prepared to accept the unintended consequences of advanced technology. “My name is Kitty Cat and I am resting in power,” reads a sticker at the memorial, highlighting the emotional toll this tragedy has taken on the community.
As the story unfolds, local authorities and advocacy groups are likely to push for stricter regulations on autonomous vehicle operations. For now, the Mission District mourns a beloved feline who touched countless lives, leaving a profound impact on the people of San Francisco.