Waymo autonomous vehicle reportedly killed neighborhood cat in San Francisco
A 9-year-old cat named KitKat who lived at a liquor store in San Francisco's Mission District was reportedly struck and killed by a Waymo autonomous vehicle on October 27, 2025. Witnesses reported the incident, and a 311 complaint alleged the vehicle did not attempt to stop. Waymo stated the cat ran under its vehicle as it was pulling away after picking up passengers.
What happened
KitKat, a 9-year-old cat who lived at Randa's Market liquor store in San Francisco's Mission District, was found dying in the street on Monday night or early Tuesday morning, October 27-28, 2025.
A witness reported being driven east on 16th Street at approximately 11:40 p.m. on Monday when a Waymo swerved in front of his vehicle. He stated that people on the sidewalk yelled and grabbed the cat from under where the Waymo swerved.
A 311 complaint filed at 12:51 a.m. on Tuesday alleged that the Waymo hit the cat sitting on the sidewalk next to a transit lane and did not attempt to stop, striking the cat at high speed.
Reported impact
The cat's owner, Mike Zeidan, and neighbors transported KitKat to an animal hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The San Francisco community mourned KitKat, with approximately 15 people gathering at an altar outside Randa's Market on Tuesday evening to pay respects, leaving offerings including flowers, candles, photos and food.
Index analysis
Waymo stated that its vehicle was stopped to pick up passengers when a nearby cat darted under the vehicle as it was pulling away, contradicting witness accounts that the vehicle swerved and did not attempt to stop.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.