NRL star Jai Arrow’s dog kills pet in second attack

A pet greyhound has been killed and her owner injured trying to fend off a brutal attack by NRL star Jai Arrow’s American Staffordshire terrier, Thor.

NRL star Jai Arrow’s American Staffordshire terrier Thor has brutally killed a pet greyhound and injured its owner only three months after attacking another smaller dog.

John Gowans was on a walk with his 11-year-old greyhound Ruby when Thor barged out of a home and made a beeline towards his pet on a suburban street in Bateau Bay this month.

Thor left Ruby with a punctured thorax, a dislocated jaw and multiple deep cuts before she later died.

Arrow was not walking Thor at the time but is now fighting to save his dog from being destroyed.

Mr Gowans’ wife Karen Gowans has revealed her husband has suffered multiple injuries as a result of trying to protect Ruby during the deadly incident.

Jai Arrow with Thor (right).

“He has two breaks to his wrist, a dog bite on his lower leg and some lacerations on his arm,” Mrs Gowans told the Daily Telegraph.

“He was knocked to the ground by the dog Thor while trying to protect Ruby.”

Mr Gowans currently wears a cast on his left arm, which runs from his knuckles up to his elbow.

The attack came only months after Arrow apologised when Thor mauled miniature schnauzer Millie at Bronte Beach last April.

Mr Gowans said he could only helplessly watch on during the attack, which occurred only about 100m from his home.

“All of a sudden this other dog was just onto her like a flash, I didn’t see it coming, I couldn’t protect her — I couldn’t do anything,” he told Channel 9.

Karen and John Gowans speak out following Ruby’s death. Picture: Channel 9

“There was just nothing that could be done for her, if she wasn’t able to be a normal happy dog, I didn’t want her suffering.”

A Waverley Council spokeswoman previously said it was issuing a notice of intention to declare Thor dangerous after the April incident.

The NSW Office of Local Government states dogs declared dangerous must wear a muzzle and be securely leashed at all times.

An owner of such a dog also needs to notify council if its moved to another area.

On Thursday morning, a Central Coast Council spokeswoman said Council Rangers had seized and held Thor.

“Given Council is currently investigating this matter and determining what action to take in relation to the alleged attacking dog, it is unable to provide further details at this time,” the spokeswoman told The Daily Telegraph.

“The tragic outcome of this incident which resulted in the attacked dog having to be euthanised due to the injuries sustained during the attack is a strong reminder that dog owners must be responsible in the management of their dogs and must abide by relevant rules and any declaration.”

John and Karen Gowans’ 11-year-old greyhound Ruby. Picture: 9 News

In an email to Mr Gowans’s brother-in-law, Arrow wrote that Thor had been staying at another person’s house at the time of the attack and that Waverley Council had been notified.

“I’ve told the council up there and there was no communication between those parties,” he wrote.

“I just wanted to see if the injured party wanted to talk because I just want to help and in regards to the incidents I haven’t been there for either of them and have had people who I trusted look after Thor and things went pair shaped (sic)”.

However Waverley Council said it did not know Thor had gone to the Central Coast.

Mr Gowans replied to Arrow’s email on July 21 but said he has not heard back from the Rabbitohs player.

Millie the Schnauzer was attacked at Bronte Park.

Millie was attacked while she was being walked on her lead.

Mr Gowans questioned the oversight of Thor and said he wanted Arrow to be held accountable for what happened to Ruby.

“I just don’t understand how if things had been done properly (at) Waverley my dog would be alive,” Mr Gowans said.

“I just want him to be made accountable for this.”