THE man who plays a misanthropic, bong-smoking dog in the US comedy series Wilfred could be dragged back to Australia if he fails to appear in the County Court on Wednesday.

Actor Jason Gann is being sued for damages by Joseph Hosny, 55, who was the victim of a frenzied attack while working as a shuttle bus driver at the Derby Day races at Flemington in 2007.

Jason Gann in dog suit.

WorkCover is also suing Gann to recover loss-of-income payments and medical costs incurred by Mr Hosny, who is unlikely to work again after suffering acute anxiety as a result of the attack.

Gann, who stars with Lord of the Rings actor Elijah Wood in the US version of Wilfred, is now based in Los Angeles and may be unable to return to Melbourne this week. He is believed to be currently filming the second US series. Gann, clad in his man-size dog suit, was last seen in public filming on the Venice Beach boardwalk 10 days ago.