Jake Gyllenhaal was the hero in a canine crisis in Tribeca, Page Six has learned.
We’re told that the “Sea Wall/A Life” actor was walking at Laight and Hudson streets at about 10:20 Thursday morning when he spotted an enormous Dalmatian standing terrified in the middle of the busy intersection.
According to an eyewitness, the dog was on a leash, but had gotten away from its owner, who was too small to control the bulky beast, which the spy estimated to be about 3 feet tall.
“I noticed that it was Jake Gyllenhaal, and I saw him turn and look into the street — I thought he was trying to flag down a cab or something.”
But we’re told Gyllenhaal was motioning to the dog, who was standing still in the street.
“It was like the dog was in shock or something,” said the source.
The star — who is well-known as a dog lover — left the woman he was walking with and stepped out into the flowing traffic, bringing cars to a standstill.
We’re told he calmed the dog — who was unharmed — and led it by the head back to its owner.
The witness said, “He really was a hero.”
Gyllenhaal even took a moment to talk to the stricken dog owner about different types of leashes that might prevent the scary situation from happening again.
Gyllenhaal has had several dogs, including puggle Boo Radley and German shepherd Atticus.
Last year he told W magazine, “I love dogs, I just love them. They are so playful. I think they bring that out in us, if we allow it. I don’t think I’m that playful, generally. I need to be reminded of it. So, they remind me of that.”
He added, “When I housebroke my dog, it was probably one of the proudest moments I’ve had. [At least] of the past three years. It was such a tremendous triumph.”
Reps declined to comment.