Wyoming boy saves his sister from a dog attack, becomes an internet hero

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WYOMING — On July 9, a six-year-old Cheyenne boy, Bridger Walker, saved his little sister’s life by standing between her and a charging dog. The heartfelt story quickly went viral on social media after his aunt, Nikki Walker, posted about the event on Instagram.

“After getting bit several times on the face and head, he grabbed his sister’s hand and ran with her to keep her safe,” Nikki said in her post. He required 90 stitches to his left cheek and is still recovering.

Nikki mentioned that the dog’s owners are “really great people who have been nothing but kind to Bridger and his family.”

“If someone had to die, I thought it should be me,” Bridger said after the incident according to Nikki.

Encouraged by his bravery, Nikki wanted to give her nephew some comfort and confidence by sharing his story and a picture of him and his younger sister on her Instagram page. On the post, Nikki asked others to leave supportive comments and help spread his story.

The brave actions that Bridger took that day have not been going unnoticed. Bridger’s story became national news when Newsweek reported on the incident. The post has been liked over 1.2 million times, with 37k comments as of July 16.

Chris Evans, the actor who plays Captain America, reached out to Bridger who is a diehard Avengers fan. “Pal, you’re a hero,” Evans said. “What you did is so brave, so selfless, your sister is so lucky to have you as a big brother.”

Evans told Bridger that he would be sending him an authentic Captain America shield for his bravery.

Bridger also received support from celebrity and actress, Anne Hathaway on Instagram. “I’m not an Avenger, but I know a superhero when I see one. I can only hope I’m half as brave in my life as you are in yours, Bridger,” Hathaway wrote.

“He’s in great spirits, and his awesome personality is intact,” his aunt said. “He can’t smile too widely yet, but he was grinning as I read some of your comments to him.”