UPDATE: Thursday Dec. 1, 2016
In a statement sent via email to CBS News 8, the San Diego Humane Society said the following:
"We received several tips from the community, and we're very appreciative of everyone's support. One anonymous tip suggested the dogs were being kept by the owners at an undisclosed location. San Diego Humane Society's Humane Officers pursued this lead, and the owners relinquished both dogs to San Diego Humane Society last night for humane euthanasia. This is all-around an extremely tragic incident and our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected. We're committed to ensuring the health and safety of all animals, along with the safety of our community residents. The decision to euthanize an animal is never easy to make, and we take this responsibility very seriously. But public safety is the ultimate priority.
"At this very busy time of year, San Diego Humane Society reminds pet owners about the importance of keeping their companions safely at home. Be sure your pets cannot escape from the yard, update your contact information on their microchip and ID tags and take advantage of a facial recognition app like Finding Rover to register your dog's photo, free of charge."
ORIGINAL STORY IS POSTED IN ITS ENTIRETY BELOW
SAN MARCOS (CBS 8) - A shocking story out of North County after a horse died from being mauled by pit bulls in San Marcos.
Smokey the quarter horse was bitten so bad he had to be put down and now investigators are searching for the two pit pulls believed to be responsible.
The pit bulls are suspected of shredding 17-year-old Smokey's leg and tearing an artery.
Smokey's owner Michelle Barclay is asking for justice.
"I am still kind of in shock and it's still unbelievable that two dogs could do that," Barclay said.
According to Michelle, her daughter found Smokey on the ground in the corral suffering from the brutal attack.
A few hours later, a woman found the dogs and called The Humane Society who transported them to the animal hospital. The dogs' owner was located through a microchip. The dogs were returned, one bloodied and injured.
According to Chief Stephen Mackinnon of The Human Society, the dogs were returned to the owner because Smokey's death is under investigation and it has yet to be determined if the found dogs were the dogs that attacked the horse.
Smokey was a fixture in the community and even made a cameo in the film Back to the Future III.
Michelle and her family have been lefty empty-hearted and concerned.
"If they can take down a 1,500 pound horse, they can take down any man, woman or child, certainly another animal," she said.
Investigators said the pit bulls live about a mile away from Smokey, but would not release their information.
Investigators said that if they find the dogs and it's determined they attacked the horse, the pit bulls will be seized.
The Humane Society said the same dog owner has been called on in the past with a previous dog, the dog was euthanize when it was determined to not be fit for adoption.
Anyone who knows where the dogs are or see them roaming the street is asked to call The San Diego Human Society at (619) 299-7012.