Tara McManigal

Tara McManigal has worked as a Deputy District Attorney for the Siskiyou County District Attorney in California since August of 2011. She received her J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2007. After graduation, Tara worked at Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe as an associate in the Civil Litigation Department for three years before leaving to become a prosecutor.

Tara grew up an animal lover, rescuing a stray dog and volunteering at the SPCA as the president of her high school Service Club. Recently, her compassion for animals helped fuel her motivation to secure a meaningful outcome in the case of Kevin Haller. In 2010, officers responded to a call after reports from neighbors that shots had been fired and there were sounds of an animal screaming. Police found 27-year-old Kevin Haller at home, his dog dead in the backyard. Haller claimed his dachshund had caused damage to his home and it was the “last straw.” Haller was taken into custody and booked on charges of animal cruelty and negligent discharge of a fire arm. McManigal and Deputy District Attorney Pallone contacted the Animal Legal Defense Fund for assistance. ALDF paid for the necropsy that induced a plea. Haller received jail time and was fined in excess of $500.00.

Tara plans to fight for justice on more animal cases in the future. She continues her work outside the courtroom by volunteering her time and financial support to animal organizations.