HOLLYWOOD star Liam Neeson has seized the opportunity to become a hero in real life by coming to the aid of a puppy in distress in New York.
The 61-year-old Ballymena actor, who is known for his heroic roles in action movies including Taken and Non-Stop, was jogging through Central Park when he heard a woman screaming.
It was reported that the Star Wars actor "charged down a path" where he found a woman yelling at a group of teenage boys who were stoning a stray puppy.
The Hollywood star is said to have confronted the three-member gang who were attacking the pooch which they had cornered up against a rubbish bin.
A source told ShowbizSpy.com that Neeson yelled at the group to stop and then stood his ground when they came up and confronted him.
The boys then reportedly dropped the stones and ran when a policeman appeared on the scene. Neeson then went to the puppy to comfort it.
"Liam just shook his head and approached the shivering dog, stroking it while the policeman assessed its injuries," the source said.
The officer then thanked the star, adding: "I'll take it from here, sir."