A loyal dog jumped into action to save his owner’s life during a violent encounter in New Hampshire earlier this week.

An 86-year-old man is recovering at the hospital after police say his neighbor attacked him outside of his Manchester home, threatening to kill him. Family members say his life was saved by the actions of his dog.

“He was throwing patio furniture, hitting with chairs, bricks, and rocks,” Brittney Ardizzoni, the victim’s great-nice said.

Police said Donald Pierce, 55, surprised and then assaulted Ned Tarmey early Sunday morning when Tarmey let his dog out the back door of his house on Pine Avenue.

“There was man standing there and basically just said he was there to kill him,” Ardizzoni said.

Tarmey’s family said as Pierce attacked Tarmey the family dog, Kane, pounced on him, holding Pierce down until police got to the scene.

“He had no clothes on, so I’m guessing that whatever Kane did was, you know, probably not comfortable,” Ardizzoni said.