The father and son arrested on charges of animal cruelty in Greenburgh made a court appearance Friday.

Police removed more than 200 animals Wednesday from the home of 64-year-old Louis Perez Hernandez. The animals were taken to the home on 2 Indian Trail so they could be used as part of a religious ritual called Santeria, police say.

The sacrifice of animals for religious purposes is not illegal. However, the homeowner, Hernandez, and his son, also Luis, were charged with animal cruelty because authorities say some of the animals died from malnutrition.

Hernandez is also charged with violating a town law prohibiting farm animals in a residential neighborhood.

The investigation into the alleged animal cruelty is not yet complete so the court date was pushed back. The two men are expected back in town court Sept. 19.

The family?s attorney says he expects the charges to be dropped.