When I picture Appalachia, I don’t picture small dogs. :)
It sounds like your dogs are truly the Ebil Dober-lords (and Ebil Dober-ladies) of the neighborhood. ;)
Lots of older folks in the general area, used to have big dogs, now at the lap dog stage of life.
However, I did see a gorgeous “black” Boxer bitch with her person in a driveway about a half mile from here.
So there’s a little hope.