Blue state councilman mocked after claiming self-driving cars are 'murdering' pets: 'Hide your cats'

"I will say cats have been killed and cats have been killed by these autonomous vehicles," Jason Chavez told fellow council members. "I have a cat. I don't want my cat getting killed because of these autonomous vehicles. 

"I just watched a video sitting here from the dais, and it was really hard to watch. Literally, cats being murdered by these 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.

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.

Grage took more swipes at Chavez in separate X posts, writing, "They're calling it the cat genocide" and, "Hide your cats. The Waymos are coming."

Eagleman also argued the city should be addressing larger issues such as crime and fraud, describing the situation as a sign of failed 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. 

"He's pulling down $110,000 a year of taxpayer money to say this with a straight face. Minneapolis doesn't have a driverless car problem. It has a leadership problem."

Fox News Digital reached out to Chavez for comment.