Smelly animals (6)
I believe the answer is:
skunks
'smelly animals' is the definition.
'skunks' can be an answer for 'animals' (I have seen 'Malodorous animals ' mean 'skunks' so perhaps 'animals' could also mean 'skunks'). I also know that 'smelly' relates to this answer.
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for skunks that I've seen before include "Smelly animals from America" , "American mammals that let out a smelly fluid in self-defence" , "Foul-smelling animals" , "Maladorous mammals" , "American animals noted for foul smell" .)