VICTORVILLE — Alicia Becerra on Tuesday said a sense of frustration led her to post a picture of two dead dogs on Facebook.

The dogs — Leona and Bear — were her son’s and daughter’s, raised since they were puppies. They were killed Saturday after a pair of pit bulls broke into Becerra’s yard and attacked them, she said, adding that one of the pit bulls lunged at her mother.

What angers Becerra the most, though, is that she said she was told by city animal control officials that the pit bulls’ owners would only receive a warning.

"That’s the part that I don’t understand," Becerra told the Daily Press.

City spokesperson Sue Jones said that while a Notice of Violation was issued to the owners on the day of the dogs’ deaths, the process was ongoing.

"We are working with all involved to determine (the) next steps," she said.

According to Becerra, the attack happened Saturday afternoon while her parents were housesitting for her.

Becerra’s parents had left the house on Alpine Circle, but came back when they heard what sounded like fighting in the garage.

When Becerra’s mother opened the door that leads to the garage, she found the pit bulls mauling 10-year-old Leona. One of the attacking dogs then leaped at the elderly woman, but she was able to kick it and scare it off, according to Becerra.

Becerra’s father used a broom to chase away the other pit bull. That’s when her parents found 9-year-old Bear lying dead outside on the patio.

Becerra’s son and daughter, Diana, rushed Leona to the veterinarian.

The doctor told Diana Becerra, who had rescued Leona from a shelter, that the dog’s injuries were so severe she would likely be paralyzed if she survived. Leona later died before she was euthanized.

Alicia Becerra said the irritation began to build when she called the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department that day but was told "that’s an animal control matter."

The Sheriff’s call log shows a call of a vicious animal was received at 4:21 p.m. in the 12300 block of Alpine Circle but no report was listed.

The Sheriff’s Department did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

Becerra said she felt similarly "brushed off" by Victorville’s Animal Care & Control officials, who she said told her Monday the owners would receive the warning.

That sense of powerlessness led to Becerra posting pictures of her killed pets in a Facebook community group Tuesday.

They show the aftermath of the attack, with Leona lying against a blood-smeared wall and Bear on the grass with patches of skin missing.

"My dogs are dead, my kids (devastated), they have been crying for the deaths of their pets!" Becerra wrote in the post. "... How can I get Justice?"

The post had received nearly 1,000 comments as of Tuesday evening.

Jones said the city’s investigation "indicates that this unfortunate incident appears to be the result of a containment issue on the part of two private properties."

Becerra said the backyard fence she shares with the pit bulls’ owners was likely where the dogs broke through. She said she constantly repaired it, adding the fence didn’t receive the same attention from the owners.

Becerra also said Leona was attacked by the pit bulls about a week before the deadly attack. The pit bulls ran off before animal control officers could arrive, she said.

Jones said there were no records of a prior attack.

According to city municipal code, a public hearing will be set if there is probable cause that the pit bulls are potentially dangerous or vicious.

That’s little solace to Diana Becerra, though.

Her mother said the 19-year-old, who aspires to be a veterinarian, is reminded daily just living in proximity to the pit bulls.

"She’ll say, ‘Mom, it’s not fair because we can hear their dogs barking,’" Alicia Becerra said. "‘And look. They’re alive, and mine are dead.’"

Martin Estacio may be reached at MEstacio@VVDailyPress.com or at 760-955-5358. Follow him on Twitter @DP_mestacio.