The owner of two pit bulls who attacked and killed a smaller dog was found and cited by the Nebraska Humane Society.

The owner, 20-year-old Kathy White, was cited for two counts of Harboring Dangerous Animals, two counts of muzzle violations, two counts of menacing behavior, two counts of License and Vaccination violation, and one count of no insurance on Pit Bulls.

White was found at a grocery store near 50th and Grover Street. She admitted to NHS investigators that she owned the two dogs.

They are accused of attacking a small Japanese Chin and killing it in its yard near 42nd and Pinkney. Children were playing with their pet just after 6 p.m Tuesday, when the pit bulls attacked. The dog's owner, Darrell Revels, grabbed a gun and shot at the pit bulls to scare them off, but it was too late.

"Aubrey," a Japanese Chin was mauled to death. Revels said she protected his five-year-old son. "Cause see what happened is Aubrey saved DeShaun, they was going after DeShaun and Aubrey ran down there to try to fight them off, and they took Aubrey out, so it's like I'm glad she was there cause she saved my son more than anything."

Police later arrested Revels for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Revels spent the night in jail, but was released after the charges were dropped Wednesday morning.

No people were injured or bitten during the attack. The Nebraska Humane Society was able to capture the pit bulls. "If they can, the owner will be facing some fairly lengthy list of charges dealing with animal control violations," said Pam Wiese of the Nebraska Humane Society.

"The dogs initially, it appeared, tried to lunge toward the kids, if one of them was holding the dog it could have been going for the dog, but it also could have been going for the kids," said Wiese.

"I think that when the little dog got down and ran toward the pit bulls, their attention went to that dog and they ended up killing it." The pit bulls responsible for the attack are in temporary holding at the Nebraska Humane Society.

"Once the investigation is concluded, if the dogs become our property, then we will euthanize them," said Wiese.

Delores Smith lives across the street from where the attack took place. "I have not seen a problem with dogs. I'm not out that much anymore. I don't work in my yard that much so I usually stay in the house, so I haven't had a problem with them."

She says it's a scary thought that two vicious dogs were running free so close to her home. "Yeah, my grandkids come over and they play out in the back. They don't play in the front, but it would be frightening."