‘If someone had to die I thought it should be me’ six-year-old Wyoming boy left with 90 stitches after standing between his younger sister and a charging dog is hailed a hero by stars Anne Hathaway and Mark Ruffalo

By HARRY HOWARD FOR MAILONLINE

• Bridger Walker, from Wyoming, was bitten several times on the head and face  
• He was injured after getting between his younger sister and a charging dog
• Ordeal was revealed in an Instagram post from his aunt Nicole Walker
• She said he needed around 90 stitches from a ‘skilled plastic surgeon’ 

Hollywood stars Anne Hathaway and Mark Ruffalo have heaped praise on a ‘hero’ Wyoming boy who needed 90 stitches after he was mauled by a dog which had launched an attack on his younger sister.

Bridger Walker, from Cheyenne, was bitten several times on the head and face when he got between the dog and his sister after it started charging at her.

Despite having been attacked, he was able to grab his sister’s hand and lead her away from danger, according to an Instagram post from his aunt Nicole Walker.

Ms Walker asked people to share the post as widely as possible so he could get some ‘words of encouragement from his favorite heroes.’

Amazingly, Avengers star Ruffalo responded after Hathaway shared Bridger’s story and said, ‘I know a superhero when I see one.’

‘Hero’ six-year-old Wyoming boy Bridger Walker needed 90 stitches after he was mauled by a dog which had launched an attack on his younger sister

 Hollywood stars Anne Hathaway and Mark Ruffalo have heaped praise on the ‘hero’ Wyoming boy who needed 90 stitches after he was mauled by a dog which had launched an attack on his younger sister

He was bitten several times on the head and face when he got between the dog and his sister after it started charging at her

She initially wrote in an Instagram post: ‘I’m not an Avenger, but I know a superhero when I see one,’ she penned alongside a photo of him.

‘I can only hope I’m half as brave in my life as you are in yours, Bridger.’

Ruffalo then responded to Ms Walker’s post and wrote: ‘Dear Bridger, I just read about what happened to you and I wanted to reach out to say this…

‘People who put the well beings of others in front of themselves are the most heroic and thoughtful people I know.

‘I truly respect and admire your courage and your heart. Real courage isn’t dominating people or fighting against people or walking around like a tough guy.

‘Real courage is knowing what is right to do and doing it even when it might end up hurting you somehow.’

Shocking pictures show Bridger’s swollen face and and bloodied stitches running up his cheek from his mouth.

Ms Walker said the little boy received around 90 stitches from a ‘skilled plastic surgeon’ and is now recovering at home.

She also revealed in her post that the little boy said of his selfless act, ‘If someone had to die, I thought it should be me.’

‘I just finished visiting with Bridger at his home,’ the post read.

‘His wounds are looking so much better! He’s in great spirits, and his awesome personality is intact.

‘He can’t smile too widely yet, but he was grinning as I read some of your comments to him.’

Despite having been attacked, he was able to grab his sister’s hand and lead her away from danger, according to an Instagram post from his aunt Nicole Walker

Remarkably, Ms Walker added that Bridger and his family ‘feel no resentment’ toward the dog owners.

‘I’d also like to mention here that the dog’s owners are really great people who have been nothing but kind to Bridger and his family,’ the post read.

‘We feel no resentment toward them at all, and if anything there’s only been an increase of love between our families as a result of this incident.’

The aunt said some people who saw the post had asked if there was a GoFundMe page for Bridger.

She instead asked that people donate to military veteran groups and send photos of rocks to Bridger because he loves geology.

The people who replied to Ms Walker’s post were full of praise for Bridger.

One wrote: ‘I was so amazed by his bravery. What a legend.’

A second said: ‘God bless the little superhero!’

A third added: ‘Bridger you are true human, your one correct decision had inspired thousands of youth like us, do not feel down at any moments.

‘Your scars are the pride of your heroism, they will always speak about your Bravery, it is much more precious than Army badge, not many have guts like you.

‘Hence you are special among us.’