A man who was allegedly attacked by Jai Arrow’s dog has claimed he has been left traumatised and is suffering from ‘PTSD’.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, John Gowans filed a personal injury claim against the South Sydney Rabbitohs second row on July 10, 2025, arguing that Arrow is liable for damages sustained by Gowans and his dog following the alleged attack, which took place in 2022.
In the court filing, Gowans claims that Arrow’s American Staffordshire Terrier, Thor, who was put down in 2022, attacked him and his 11-year-old greyhound, Ruby, while they were out walking just 100m from their home in Bateau Bay.
The claim adds that Ruby was euthanised as a result of her injuries, while Gowans suffered a fractured arm and bites on both legs.
Gowans is arguing that Arrow is liable for the injuries sustained by him and his dog Ruby.
‘I just want retribution,’ Gowans told The Sydney Morning Herald.
A man who was allegedly attacked by Jai Arrow’s (pictured) dog has claimed he has been left traumatised and is suffering from ‘PTSD’
American Staffordshire bull terrier, Thor (pictured), is alleged to have attacked John Gowans and his dog back in 2022
Gowans’ dog Ruby (pictured) was put down after sustaining the injuries following the attack
‘I still get a bit upset about the whole thing. I have PTSD over it. I’ve seen psychologists.’
Gowans has since adopted another rescue greyhound. But the event still haunts him and has left him unable to play bowls because of an injury to his wrist.
‘I’ve moved away from the house where I was. Now I’m in a retirement village and I can now, only now, walk my dog,’ he added.
‘I could not walk my dog back at the old house … I just couldn’t do it. I was nervous. Every time I saw a dog, I’d start to shake.’
He added that he had been attacked by two other dogs 12 to 18 months prior to the aforementioned incident.
Arrow’s representatives McGirr & Associates, have issued a statement claiming that the NRL player will defend himself.
‘Jai Arrow at this stage is going to defend the matters,’ Arrow’s legal counsel stated to The Sydney Morning Herald.
‘There will be further particulars and exploration of [Gowans’] physical and mental injury and the causation of such, bearing in mind that the alleged victim has been allegedly attacked by other dogs in the past.’
Arrow has played 178 NRL matches for Brisbane, Gold Coast and South Sydney since debuting in 2016 for the Broncos
Thor was put down following the attack, which left Gowans traumatised. He stated that he now suffers from ‘PTSD’
In 2022, Daily Mail reported that Arrow’s dog had been labelled ‘dangerous’ by Waverley Council after he had attacked another dog at Bronte Beach in April of that year.
Arrow was understood to have been walking his dog alongside team-mate Liam Knight when the incident took place. Arrow paid $10,000 for the injured dog’s vet bills.
The Rabbitohs player had subsequently issued an apology to the dog’s owners.
‘We deeply apologise to the family and the dog for this incident,’ he said.
‘We never meant for anything like this to happen. It’s the first time anything like this has happened with him.
‘Dogs are very much part of people’s families, and hopefully, we can help with the other dog’s recovery.
‘We’ve been in contact with the council and police and we’ve offered to pay for all expenses and vet bills relating to this incident.
‘It’s very unfortunate that this has happened and, again, we apologise for any distress that my dog has caused. Hopefully, the dog can make a full recovery.’
In 2023, it was reported by Channel Nine’s Danny Weidler that another of Arrow’s dogs reportedly attacked Jason Demetriou’s labradoodle, a year after he was forced to surrender his dog Thor to the authorities.
It was later reported that Demetriou’s dog was doing ‘well’ despite the attack.
