Actor Liam Neeson reportedly turned real-life hero to save a dog from a group of kids in New York. Reports suggest the Taken star was jogging in Central Park, New York when he heard a woman calling for help as she attempted to stop a group of young thugs throwing rocks at a stray dog they had cornered, according to ShowbizSpy.com.

A source tells the National Enquirer, “Liam charged down a path and confronted three gangbanger wannabe types.

“Liam yelled that they’d better stop or he’d knock the c**p out of them – but the punks just swaggered up and warned him to mind his own business. In a fury, he warned them to back off fast – or else!”

During the confrontation, police arrived at the scene, prompting the alleged attackers to back down and run off.

The source continues, “Liam just shook his head and approached the shivering dog, stroking it while the policeman assessed its injuries.”