'Deeply apologise': NRL star Jai Arrow involved in brutal dog attack
South Sydney Rabbitohs star Jai Arrow has publicly apologised to a Sydney woman after his dog attacked hers while on a walk at Bronte Beach last month.
The 26-year-old, who joined the Rabbitohs this year after a stint with the Gold Coast Titans, was not actually present at the time his American Staffordshire Bull Terrier attacked the woman's Schnauzer.
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The Schnauzer survived the attack but was badly injured, while it's owner also suffered bruises and cuts to her hands while trying to fend off Arrow's dog.
Arrow's 'amstaff', named Thor, had been let off the leash by his flatmate who was walking the Rabbitohs star's two dogs in mid-April.
The flatmate allegedly left the scene, prompting an investigation and call for information from Waverly Council as to the identity of the dog's owner.
Arrow has since revealed he is the owner of the dog who attacked the Schnauzer, apologising unreservedly to her and offering to cover all veterinary costs.
“We deeply apologise to the family and the dog for this incident,” Arrow told the Daily Telegraph.
“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.”
The victim has reportedly been left with costs totaling more that $10,000 as a result of the attack.
Jai Arrow's dog responsible for alarming Bronte Beach attack
While some people online took aim at the "dangerous" breed of dog following the recent incident, others were quick to defend the animal, insisting the owner is at fault.
"The owner has more to answer for than the dogs, the way you treat a dog is the main attribute to the way a dog will turn out," one person commented.
"Still amazing these amstaf and rotty owners let their dogs off-leash in public with their extensive history," another wrote.
"Horrible! These owners who think they understand dogs' temperaments are crazy. Leashed areas mean leashed especially if other dogs are around. I hope they catch him soon," a third said.
According to Waverley Council, dogs are permitted to be off-leash in Bronte Park Gully between the hours of 3pm and 10am only.
But dogs are not permitted on the beach, near the ocean pool, within 10 metres of the children's playground or near the BBQs.
The Queensland Origin forward sustained a cut in last round's win over St George Illawarra which caused his face to swell up to the size of a cricket ball, requiring three nights in hospital.
Souths teammates likened him to a chipmunk because of his swollen cheeks.
The back-rower was given antibiotics by Souths' club doctor but it had little effect with the forward admitted to hospital for treatment.
Arrow also suffered the loss of his paternal grandfather, Ray Arrow, earlier in the week.
With AAP
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