In October 2025, a dog named Red was found severely burned in Union County, South Carolina. A necropsy confirmed what witnesses already feared, Red was still alive when he was set on fire.

Two women, Jada Rogers and Cassidi Hyatt, were arrested and charged with felony animal cruelty based on veterinary evidence, physical remains, and eyewitness accounts. On January 8, 2026, Solicitor Kevin Brackett announced he was dismissing all charges.

Despite a necropsy report stating “dog was burned alive” and showing soot in the lungs and airway, Brackett argued that Rogers believed the dog was already dead and that Hyatt was not involved. The Union County Sheriff’s Office strongly disagreed, saying the evidence fully supported felony charges.

This decision sets a dangerous precedent. It tells the public that even when a dog is confirmed to have been burned alive, and even when medical and witness evidence exist, the people responsible may walk free.

We are calling on South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and relevant authorities to:

• Conduct an independent review of this case and the decision to dismiss the charges
• Consider reinstating felony charges based on necropsy findings, evidence from the scene, and eyewitness reports
• Ensure future animal cruelty cases with credible expert evidence are not dismissed without full and transparent review
• Publicly commit to prosecuting intentional acts of animal abuse to the fullest extent of the law

Red deserves justice. South Carolina’s cruelty laws mean nothing if they are not enforced, especially when the science and the community are clear.

Sign this petition to demand that South Carolina reinstate charges in Red’s case and send a message that animal cruelty will not be excused.