Man rejects plea deal in Oak Orchard dog shooting
The man accused of shooting and killing a dog in Oak Orchard rejected a plea deal Nov. 2 that would have given him a charge of misdemeanor animal cruelty.
Herbert Manley, 69, of Dover was charged with felony animal cruelty, first-degree reckless endangering and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, after the Office of Animal Welfare says he shot a chocolate Labrador retriever named Tank on May 31, 2021.
Superior Court Judge Mark Conner asked Manley whether he understood that the plea deal would have given him a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty with a year of level II probation. Manley said he understood that by going to trial, he will face the three felony counts with which he was originally charged.
Connor emphasized that there will be “no more misdemeanor charge. You face felonies.”
Manley potentially faces a minimum of three years in prison if convicted.
According to court records, Manley told an officer that the dog charged at him and was foaming at the mouth when he shot the animal.
A trial is scheduled to begin Wednesday, Nov. 16, in Sussex County Superior Court.
Melissa Steele is a staff writer covering the state Legislature, government and police. Her newspaper career spans more than 30 years and includes working for the Delaware State News, Burlington County Times, The News Journal, Dover Post and Milford Beacon before coming to the Cape Gazette in 2012. Her work has received numerous awards, most notably a Pulitzer Prize-adjudicated investigative piece, and a runner-up for the MDDC James S. Keat Freedom of Information Award.
