Metro

‘Squeezed the life out of him’ — Dog killed during violent love-triangle argument after jealous boyfriend tried to run over owner

A dog became the innocent victim of a twisted love triangle when a jealous boyfriend tried to run over the pooch’s master on the Upper East Side — but crushed the canine instead, authorities said.

“It’s ridiculous that he did this over a girl — he knew killing my dog would hurt me,” said Dejan Piskacek, 34. the owner of the beloved Siberian husky, Max.

The alleged attack took place Sunday, after Piskacek’s ex-girlfriend’s new love, ice-cream truck driver Wilfredo Vega, 23, sent Piskacek a text message demanding that he stop talking to the young woman.

Piskacek later showed up at a coffee shop on East 90th Street, where his former girlfriend Angibel Martinez, 22, was working — and unexpectedly ran into Vega, police sources said.

An argument ensued, and the fight spilled onto the street near the shop.

Piskacek claims he tried to reason with Vega — explaining there are “plenty of girls in New York City” — but Vega became furious, Piskacek said.

Vega then jumped into his black Dodge Charger and allegedly sped toward Piskacek. After first missing his mark, Vega allegedly tried again, backing up at full speed toward Piskacek.

The driver barely missed him — but crushed Max between the car and some scaffolding, law-enforcement sources said.

Vega “broke every bone in Max’s body. Max just looks at me and slowly starts passing. He just looks at me like, ‘What’s happening?’ ” Piskacek said.

“He didn’t even bark. [Vega] squeezed the life out of him,” Piskacek said.

“I just kept repeating, ‘I love you, Max. I love you, Max.’ I kept saying it. It was the last thing he heard,” Piskacek said sadly.

Vega then fled the scene — but detectives quickly caught up with him. He was charged with animal cruelty, reckless endangerment and attempted assault.

Piskacek said he bought Max as a 6-week-old pup to cope with his grief after a family member died seven years ago.

He trained the pooch to run with him every day and even sent him to an obedience school in Georgia.

Vega, who has a prior assault charge, recently moved from an apartment in Ridgewood, Queens.He was being held yesterday in lieu of $5,000 bail. He told cops Max’s death was an accident.