Help restore civility in our elected officials by joining us in demanding San Jose City Councilman Apologize ! 

An investigative reporter and her 16 year old dog went to  San Jose City Hall to inquire about a recent order prohibiting photography outside the Family Courthouse. As they  stepped into a public elevator to deliver a copy of that order to the Mayor’s office, they  encountered San Jose City Councilmember Peter Ortiz.

The day before, the reporter had  published an article regarding Councilmember Ortiz’s recent court loss in a case involving East Side San Jose Times journalist Bobby Saenz. A link to the article is here: https://davisvanguard.org/2026/02/san-jose-social-media-journalism/

Given the opportunity, the reporter asked Ortiz for comment on the case and the article. 

Councilmember Ortiz declined to comment. Instead, he remarked that the elderly dog was too close to the elevator door. As the elevator opened and he exited quickly, "Puppy" appeared to be struck in the process. The reporter immediately stated that he had kicked the dog. Otiz  did not turn around or offer an apology.

Whether intentional or not, what followed was what mattered most: there was no acknowledgment, no pause, no simple “I’m sorry.” For a public official—someone entrusted with leadership and civic responsibility—that absence of basic civility was deeply disappointing.

This incident is not about politics alone. It is about accountability and respect. Public officials regularly speak about transparency, community values, and compassion. Those principles should apply in small, everyday moments as much as in campaign speeches.

Local reporting has noted that Councilmember Ortiz has raised approximately $98,000 for his 2026 re-election campaign. Among his supporters are Stanford Law Professor Michele Dauber and former political candidate Rolando Bonilla. These associations underscore that Mr. Ortiz operates within circles that frequently call for public accountability from others.

Accountability must be consistent. It cannot be selective.

For the past decade, Puppy has quietly accompanied local reporters by supporting trauma survivors and covering difficult stories in our local courts. Many police officers, public officials, and community members have shown her kindness and respect. That compassion matters. It reflects the best of who we are as a community.

All we are asking for now is something simple and reasonable: a public apology.

Not a political statement. Not a legal defense. Just an acknowledgment that what happened was wrong and that civility matters.