(Photo courtesy of WHAS11 News)  Bussey, age 53 has been charged with torturing a family member's dog.  Authorities say it may not have been the first time he's been accused of this type of behavior.  The person reporting this crime believes Bussey has injured another of their pets.

Sister-in-law Linda Bussey and other family members returned home from a birthday party when they discovered the black and white 1-year-old cocker spaniel mix named Oreo was yelping.  Bussey was left alone in the apartment with the dog who was brought home from a flea market the previous year.

Bussey ran away after being confronted but family members later found him a short time later and held him for police.

Oreo is recovering from her wounds at the metro animal shelter.

Police are now looking into whether Bussey was involved in the death of a family cat last year after it received suspicious injuries.

Oreo can be returned to the family after she is spayed and becomes current on her shots.

Bussey is scheduled to have his first court appearance on October 14, 2008.

Reference:

WHAS 11News