The man accused of stealing a dog from a local animal rescue is now jailed on a murder charge.
Brandon Bussey was believed to be a homeless runaway teen when the Funny Farm Rescue in Mays Landing decided to help him with his dog, Caesar.
While the Funny Farm has a policy of not fostering animals, owner Laurie Zaleski made an exception after the people at Atlantic City’s Covenant house wore her down, she told BreakingAC last month.
Volunteers worried that Bussey wouldn’t be able to care for the dog properly, decided to buy the dog, with the promise that he would never be adopted out and Bussey could visit.
But after signing the dog over and taking the money, Bussey allegedly fled to a van that took off with him and Caesar.
Last week, Bussey — who is 20 — was arrested in North Carolina in the fatal stabbing of his roommate.
Marcus Smith, 26, was found dead inside his Winston-Salem apartment Oct. 28, according to police.
Bussey and 20-year-old Jesse Jesus Sanchez, 20, who also lived there, are no jailed and charged with murder.
Zaleski said she could only confirm that Caesar is back home at the Funny Farm.
Bussey is due in court in Winston-Salem, N.C., next week.
