Rabbitohs Star Jai Arrow Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Dog Attack Causing PTSD

South Sydney Rabbitohs player Jai Arrow is being sued in the NSW District Court by a 76-year-old man, John Gowans, who alleges that Arrow's American Staffordshire terrier, Thor, attacked him and his pet greyhound, Ruby, in July 2022. The incident resulted in Ruby's euthanasia and Gowans sustaining fractures and bites, leading to chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Key Takeaways

• A 76-year-old man is suing Rabbitohs player Jai Arrow over a dog attack.
• The victim claims the attack by Arrow's dog, Thor, caused him PTSD and led to the death of his own dog, Ruby.
• Arrow's dog, Thor, had a prior history of being declared a dangerous dog.
• Arrow was not present during the attack as he was playing a State of Origin match.

The Alleged Attack

John Gowans claims that while walking his greyhound, Ruby, near his Bateau Bay home, Thor attacked both him and his dog. Ruby suffered fatal injuries, while Gowans was hospitalised with fractures to his arm and bites to both legs. Gowans has stated he is seeking "retribution" and has been undergoing psychological treatment for PTSD stemming from the incident.

Previous Incidents and Legal Claims

The lawsuit, filed just before the three-year personal injury claim deadline, asserts Arrow's liability as Thor's owner. Gowans' legal team intends to argue that Arrow's alleged failure to adhere to previous safety requirements for Thor, imposed after a prior incident, contributed to the attack. A year before the Bateau Bay incident, Thor was declared a dangerous dog by Waverley Council after injuring another dog. At that time, Arrow apologised and offered to cover vet fees, and was required to ensure Thor was muzzled and leashed, and kept in an escape-proof enclosure when not supervised.

Gowans has since moved from his home and adopted another greyhound, but reports a lasting phobia of certain dog breeds, experiencing anxiety and shaking when encountering dogs. He described the trauma of witnessing his dog's death, stating, "When you have a dog die underneath your feet and its throat ripped out, it does something to you."

Arrow's Defence

Representatives for Jai Arrow have indicated that he intends to defend the matter. His legal team plans to explore the extent and causation of Gowans' alleged physical and mental injuries, noting that Gowans has reportedly been attacked by other dogs in the past, though he described those incidents as less severe.

Background on Jai Arrow

Jai Arrow, who debuted for the Rabbitohs in 2021, had a notable 2025 season with 24 appearances and two tries. He recently received the Rabbitohs' best and fairest and "Souths Cares" awards.

Sources

• South Sydney Rabbitohs player Jai Arrow sued in NSW Court over dog attack, The Sydney Morning Herald.