A six-year-old boy from Wyoming has been hailed a hero after suffering severe facial injuries while saving his younger sister from a vicious dog attack, an incident that required him to have more than 90 stitches.
A Brother's Instinct to Protect
The terrifying event took place in 2020 while Bridger Walker and his sister were visiting a friend's house. According to their aunt, Nicole Walker, the children were playing in the garden with two dogs. Bridger later described one as the "nice dog" and the other as the "mean one." Without warning, the aggressive dog charged towards his sister.
In a split-second decision, Bridger placed himself directly between the animal and his sibling. The dog, identified as a German Shepherd mix, did not stop its attack. It jumped up and locked its jaw onto the young boy's cheek. Despite his own terror and pain, Bridger shouted for his sister to run to safety.
The Aftermath of the Attack
After managing to break free, the injured boy ran inside the house to call emergency services. First responders were met with a scene described as containing "a lot of blood." So much so, that firefighters asked to cut off his shirt, to which Bridger heartbreakingly replied, "My mum likes me in this shirt."
He was rushed to hospital by ambulance where he underwent a surgery lasting nearly two hours. The procedure to treat the multiple bites to his face and head required 90 stitches. Medical staff told his family that Bridger was the "bravest patient" they had ever treated, noting he only cried when receiving an intravenous drip.
Celebrity Praise and a Family's Pride
Bridger's astonishing courage captured hearts worldwide, especially when his family shared that his reason for intervening was: "If someone had to die, I thought it should be me." As an avid Marvel fan, he was thrilled to receive personal messages of support from actors within the franchise.
Chris Evans, who played Captain America, sent a special video message saying, "Hey Bridger, Captain America here... I read your story, I saw what you did... pal, you're a hero. Your sister is so lucky to have you as a big brother. Your parents must be so proud of you."
His family described Bridger as an "absolute joy" full of love, adding that his selfless act, while shocking, was in keeping with his protective character. A team of doctors has since offered to perform corrective surgery on his facial scars free of charge.
