Oh, I do so understand. This happens ALL the time in our little town. I get so frustrated with these people!! I have taken so many dogs home. Sometimes the people are so happy. Once I found a medium sized dog (no idea of the parentage) and called the number on her collar to the vet. They gave me the owners number and they were ecstatic to have her back. A neighbor had knocked down their fence. Others are not so nice. We have a toy poodle next door that is allowed to roam the streets. You'd think growing up that way he'd have some car smarts? No! He just stands there in the road looking at you!! These are the same people with 2 large dogs in the backyard that never get any attention.

Sorry to vent in your post, but I felt a kindredness with you just now.