MIAMI -- Miami-Dade Animal Services and the South Florida Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals continued Friday to remove farm animals from what officials said was an illegal slaughterhouse in southwestern Miami Dade County. Seventeen horses, two donkeys, 75 sheep and goats and about 170 pigs were being rescued.

Miami-Dade police said 55-year-old Ramiro Perez fed animals garbage from local restaurants and then slaughtered them illegally. Dr. Sara Pizano of Miami-Dade Animal Services said the garbage included inedible things, like plastic spoons, and that the animals probably ate these items, too.

"It's inexcusable to have this many animals when you can't afford to feed them," Pizano said.

According to the arrest affidavit, officers found dead animals and evidence of an illegal slaughterhouse, including butcher knives and shotgun shells. Officials said the area was filthy and had an overwhelmingly foul odor.

Pizano said the animals should all survive and most will be adopted.

"Miami-Dade Animal Services is working with the South Florida SPCA and Humane Society to find farms and sanctuaries for the animals. The sheep and goats will be transported to a 100-acre farm in Georgia," she said.

Perez is not behind bars. He faces several citations, including illegal slaughtering and possibly selling the meat as food, Local 10's Julie Summers reported. The main count against Perez is that of sanitary nuisance, and he has promised to appear to face that charge.

Police said Perez was asked repeatedly to clean up his property because of a terrible odor but he ignored the request. This prompted neighbors to call police, who came out to the property Thursday and discovered the slaughterhouse.

By Friday morning, more than a dozen of the pigs were taken away, and officials planned to remove the goats next.

Perez refused to speak to Local 10.