I've done my share of cold hearted things in my life... and there is positively nothing I hate worse than deer dogs gone feral running pregnant does through our farm during April.... but near a neighborhood (I am not) is a different story. The older I get, the more of a wuss I become, and I just don't have the heart to drop the hammer on a dog anymore, unless it is in very poor condition, or some other justifiable circumstance. In VA, killing a dog is a felony offence, and is not justifiable ever, save a very few conditions.... for example, any dog running/chasing/harrassing your livestock may be dealt with firmly and finally (thats the case in most places).

What I would do is try and catch the one with the collar, and take it to its owner. Feel the situation out. If its bubba... who just doesn't care and won't do anything about it... next time... to the pound.... while you are there, ask him/her about the other dogs you have been seeing... maybe their neighbors or what not.... explain your situation, don't be a jerk about it, though I know how frustrating it is... usually just letting someone know what the problem is will be enough to get it taken care of so its best for you, the dog and the dogs owner. An ounce of prevention is worth more than 2 ounces of #6s you know....