Star, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross Pitbull cross Jack Russell, was out for a late night walk with owner Amy Edmonson when the incident happened. The 30-year-old and her beloved dog from Southend, Essex, just near the block of flats where she lives when a man and a woman approached asking for directions at 11.30pm on June 21.

       When Amy turned to point them in the right direction, the man pinned her to the ground holding a knife to her throat and demanding for money.

       Amy thought that her nine-year-old son would lose his mother during the ordeal before Star lept in to save her.

       She said: “I let go of my dog’s lead and she just jumped on him and started biting his leg."

       Shocked by her "loving little dog's" actions, the young mum said her pooch "refused" to let go, giving her the chance to get the man off her.

       After convincing the attacker to let her go if she told Star to stop biting the man, the thugs ran off leaving Amy very shaken.

       Amy said: "Star 100 percent saved my life.

       "I just kept thinking, I'm going to die, there's no way to get this bloke off me.

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       "It was actually really out of character for her - she's the most loving little dog usually, she would lick anyone to death.

       "I was gobsmacked that she did what she did - but so grateful to her.

       "She got an extra big dinner and lots of extra cuddles that night."