Round Lake man won't be prosecuted for death of dog

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office declined Monday to prosecute James Mahnich, 27, of the 100 block of Springside Drive, Round Lake, on the charge of aggravated cruelty to an animal in the August 2008 death of his then-girlfriend's dog.

The woman arrived at the Palatine home she shared with Mahnich, and found the Jack Russell/Chihuahua mix unresponsive. At Mahnich's December bond hearing, prosecutors said veterinarians determined the pet had suffered broken ribs and fluid on the brain that was likely caused by a beating.

The state's attorney's office in Rolling Meadows decided not to prosecute after Judge John Scotillo granted a motion from Mahnich's attorney Peter Petrakis to suppress a confession by Mahnich.

Petrakis had earlier called Mahnich's confession "coerced" and the evidence linking him to the pet's death "tenuous."

Assistant Cook County state's attorney Shandra Leary said the office has no plans to reopen the case.