Retired Mildura businessman sentenced after shooting neighbour's dog in Essendon

John Charles Green, who ran PJs Foodworks in Mildura for thirty years before retiring, was convicted of illegally using a long-arm air rifle to shoot his neighbour’s dog in an Essendon unit. The incident occurred after months of dealing with persistent barking, and Green admitted to bringing the rifle from Mildura to use as a deterrent. The dog, Otis, suffered three wounds and a pellet lodged near its heart, requiring emergency veterinary care.

A court-appointed psychologist concluded that Green’s decision was driven by severe psychological distress related to loss of purpose and his role as a full-time carer for his wife. He was fined $5,000, ordered to cover $2,541.50 in veterinary expenses, and placed under psychological supervision, avoiding a custodial sentence.