Jai Arrow’s dog has become the first pet to earn its owner a nomination for The Fronwlow Medal after it mauled another dog to death.
The Frownlow Medal is awarded to the player whose off-field demeanour epitomises the values of the modern-day footballer and draws attention to the status of footballers as role models to young Australians. It covers Australia’s four major football codes; the National Rugby League (NRL), Australian Football League (AFL), the A-League (Football) and Rugby Union’s Super Rugby competition. NRL player Shaun Kenny-Dowall won the inaugural medal in 2015, while NRL star Jarryd Hayne is the most recent recipient.
Arrow’s staffordshire terrier killed a dog on the NSW Central Coast just months after it brutally attacked another dog in Sydney. The dog, named Thor, attacked a greyhound in Bateau Bay when a friend of Arrow’s was caring for it, and the attack was so savage that the victim was rushed to the vet where it died.
The first time the dog viciously attacked another pet involved another NRL player. On that occasion, fellow Rabbitoh Liam Knight was walking Thor when it attacked a miniature schnauzer on Bronte Beach. The schnauzer was left with injuries that included her fur being ripped off in places revealing the flesh beneath, and left its owner with a $10,000 vet bill following the mauling.
Dogs are not allowed on Bronte Beach.
This incident also earned Thor an official classification as a dangerous dog by Waverley Council. This requires the dog to wear a muzzle and be secured with a leash. In addition, the owner must notify the local council if the dog is to be moved out of the local government area. Arrow can not prove that he notified council the dog would be taken to the Central Coast.
Both Rabbitohs now earn their second nomination for The Frownlow Medal. Knight was caught speeding on his P Plates in 2016. The speeding forced the police to follow him, and they discovered he’d been drinking as well, but to hide the alcohol on his breath he sprayed Aeroguard in his mouth. It didn’t work and he was charged with high-range drink driving.
Arrow, meanwhile, was caught smuggling an unknown woman into Queensland’s State of Origin camp in 2021, thus cheating on his partner and breaching strict COVID-19 biosecurity protocols.
Arrow and Knight have also proven that people with pet dogs are more caring and considerate.
The Frownlow Medal 