I understand your frustration! We live in a very woodsy area. Our backyard is useless because of the hawks and owls. I don't even feel safe putting the boys on the 30' leashes anymore after our neighbor's Yorkie was attacked by a hawk. He is a big boy too -- more than 9 pounds.
A few months ago when I walking Teddy, a chicken hawk doves within inches of my head and nailed a squirrel in front of us. He flew off with the squirrel squealing the whole way.
It's hard being a little dog in a big world.
Reports of coyotes in our area are growing too.