A dog named Justice is recovering from a serious neck wound. A Florida sheriff's deputy is now fostering him, and veterinarians say he will need long-term medical care. What happened to Justice should not happen to any animal, and the person charged in connection with his suffering holds elected office.

White Springs Vice Mayor Nicole Williams was arrested last week and charged with a felony count of animal cruelty after Hamilton County Sheriff's deputies found her dog tied outside with a rope that had cut into his neck. The wound had a foul odor. Williams disputes portions of the arrest report and denies the allegations as written. She is entitled to due process, and no one should treat her as guilty before a court has ruled.

But here is what is not in dispute: a dog suffered a serious injury. A felony charge has been filed. And Nicole Williams continues to hold a seat on the White Springs Town Commission while that charge is pending.

Elected officials carry a higher standard of public trust. When a vice mayor faces a felony charge, the community deserves a clear, transparent process for determining whether she should continue serving while the case moves through the courts. White Springs has no formal policy for that situation. It should.

Sign this petition to demand the White Springs Town Commission establish an interim accountability policy for officials facing felony charges, and to call on Vice Mayor Williams to voluntarily step aside until this matter is resolved in court.