ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Dozens of rotting animals from the zoo, including a rhino, were found in the back of a Bernalillo County resident's property.

Authorities said the property owner, Ruben Saavedra, had a contract to dispose of the dead animals, but they never left his property. Police said they found dozens of carcasses in his back yard covered by tarps.

"(There were) at least a couple dozen sheep, three horses and one rhino. There are probably more parts of others we just don't know about," said Lucas Tafoya, of the Bernalillo County Environmental Department.

This is not the first time that Saavedra has left dead animals to decompose on his property. Environmental inspectors said he let rotting remains pile up in the same place at the end of last year.

Chris Lippert said the stench from the home is powerful.

“It’s just one of those smells that hits you in the face as you drive by,” he said. “It’s like rotting hamburger meat, or rotting, or something really, really rank.”

Authorities said they are still investigating the case and there is no word yet on what penalties Saavedra might be facing.

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