Mentally Challenged Man Held in Puppy's Killing

A DuPage County judge has ruled that Michael Jenkins of Carol Stream cannot be released from police custody, except to the care of a psychiatric facility, after allegedly throwing a 13-week old puppy down the stairs and then kicking it to death. Jenkins attacked the dog after it went to the bathroom in the house. According to Jenkins's mother, he called her last month, upset, and said that he was afraid he might hurt himself. She rushed over to the home, and found the dog dead on the floor. A necropsy on the animal showed that it suffered brain damage, a broken jaw and neck. Jenkins's attorney is trying to get his case heard in DuPage's Mental Illness Court Alternative Program, which could lead to treatment if convicted. [NBC 5, Tribune]