Dogs were killed, What to do?

On 2/2/11both of my dogs were killed by my neighbor. They both ran out of the house, and apparently killed a couple of my neighbors chickens....so he shot and killed both of them. They were then brought back to me by animal control. I know they shouldn't have done what they done, but he shouldnt have killed them. He knew they belonged to me. He had my number. I could have been there in less than 30 seconds. And he throws all his dead chickens out on his property and his birds are constantly coming on my property. So I dont believe it was all their fault. Anyone who knows me knows my dogs. Thats who I am. They were my life. And I miss them terribly. And the crappy part is I cant do anything about it. Because apparently in VA you can just kill someones dog if its messin with you chickens. In my opinion that law she be a little stricter. Because these people werent even doing it because of there chickens. Ive known these people forever, they are actually my family, they were just doing it to be aholes Ive bought chickens from them and they could really care less about them.. I really dont see how people can be soooo frickin cruel. My dogs were the sweetest dogs in the world. They loved everyone. And they were TERRIFIED of gun shots. So a shot in the air would have made them stop what they were doing. I heard the shots myself. They were about a minute apart. So your telling me one watched its friend get murdered and just kept killing chickens. Bullcrap. I loved them dogs more than anything. And theyre gone like that. Oh and the best part is I have to pay them $120 for 4 chickens....okay ive bought chickens from THEM bbefore...and they were $6 each, so how am i gonna have to pay that much for them. And if i dont pay them, they are gonna press charges against me for malicious destruction of property and a crap load of other bullcrap. I am just hoping somebody out there as any ideas that can help me. What I need is just support. How would you feel if you lost your best friends. Im not someone with a whole lot of money. But I will do whatever I can to not let my babies deaths go in vain. I would like to even lie start a petition of some sort to change that law or something idk. Im at a loss and I dont know what to do anymore. So much bad stuff keeps happening Im at the end of my rope. If any one has any idea please let me know.