Foul odor leads rhino remains, other carcasses

[June 03, 2011]  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- New Mexico authorities are making a stink after an odor wafting from a New Mexico property lead them to a foul discovery -- dozens of dead animals, including the remains of a rhino named Sally.

Authorities plan to cite, Ruben Saavedra, with illegally stockpiling animal carcasses after finding two dozen sheep, three horses, and the rhinoceros on the Albuquerque property.

Saavedra, who operates an animal disposal service, said Thursday that personal problems caused him to get behind on his work.

"So I know I did wrong, but we're remedying the problem," he said.

Saavedra says he took the carcasses to an animal interment site -- where Sally, a 44-year-old zoo rhino euthanized in December, was laid to rest -- and that authorities watched.

Saavedra faces a fine and jail time.

[Associated Press; By IVAN MORENO]

Ivan Moreno can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/ivanmoreno_colo.

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