Apex, N.C. — Police and animal control officers removed between 75 and 80 sheep from a property on West Moore Street in downtown Apex on Monday, and officials said they may file charges against the property owner.

Thirty of the sheep were so neglected they had to be euthanized at the Wake County Care, Control and Adoption center, officials said.

"The police department as well as our office has been out there many times to investigate complaints of neglect. We had never found grounds until today for neglect charges," Michael Williams, Wake County animal control director, said.

The smell “was so bad you couldn't sit out there most of the time, and the flies were pretty bad," a neighbor said.

The remaining sheep were taken to the county animal shelter and to a local farm where they will nursed back to health.

Apex detectives said they are waiting until the health of the animals is fully accessed before pressing charges against the owner, whose name they did not disclose. Once the surviving sheep are healthy, they will be put up for adoption.