Either way, I probably would not shoot one. I just don't think I could do it. We even had a rottweiler that had been hanging out on our property for some time. I figured he wasn't just a wild dog because he always was with this little terrier type dog.
Anyways, on another note, none of my dogs were collars. The only reason is because they consists of 2 Siberian Huskies and a Malamute. There necks are rather big compared to their heads and they just take the collars off all the time. However, they have only got loose a couple times. But anyone that knows Huskies knows they will just run and run, really having no clue probably where they are going, but they just love to run. That is why they are supposed to have a fenced in yard. One time they got out because another dog in the area busted a hole in our fence and they all got out. The Malamute really didn't want to go anywhere though, but the other two Huskies, which are brother and sister, just ran and ran. I really don't have any idea how they would act around deer, but I could really see how they would be thought of as nice looking coyotes. But if someone saw them, and new they were huskies, and still shot them, I would be pissed. I mean, how many wild Huskies do you see out in the woods. Most people try to take them in because they are pretty nice dogs. Either way, I probably would have a talking to the person if one of my dogs were shot.