rwoods@thekmgroup.co.uk

A mugger brandishing a knife was no match for a loyal Staffordshire bull terrier-cross which proved it was its master's best friend.

Father-of-two Keith Hall, 57, had taken his pet Shilo for a walk on the beach around 1am last Tuesday, when he was approached by the man who put a knife to his throat and demanded cash, a mobile phone and watch.

"I gave him the £6 in cash, but I don't carry a mobile phone," said Mr Hall. "I said to him I would never give him my watch as it was a present from my son."

Mr Hall, of Alma Street, Sheerness, said he called to his dog, who had been swimming in the sea alongside Marine Parade, and the mugger, a man in his 20s, fled as soon as he saw Shilo, who then gave chase.

When Mr Hall caught up he found his dog had pinned the mugger to the ground at K's Casino in nearby Neptune Terrace. "He was flat on the ground and Shilo was lying on top of him barking," said Mr Hall.

"I put my hand in his pocket and took back the money he had stolen from me," he added.

He then held on to his dog as the man made his escape and Mr Hall said he had hero dog Shilo to thank for his safety. He said: "I'm lucky I had my dog, otherwise I might have ended up in hospital. I'm definitely proud of him as he always protects me."

A police spokesman said the incident was not registered as a crime because Mr Hall did not want an investigation as he had got his money back.

She added: "Police take reports of this kind very seriously and we are committed to tackling knife crime when it occurs."