'Pal, you're a hero': Boy, 6, who saved sister from dog attack gets message from Captain America

A brave six-year-old boy saved his little sister from a dog attack after he stepped in to shield her - and was left needing more than 90 stitches.

Bridger Walker, from Wyoming, was bitten several times on the face and head by the German Shepherd mix after it charged at the siblings while they played in a garden on 9 July.

His family said that when asked why he had saved his sister, he replied: "If someone had to die, I thought it should be me."

The young boy - who is an avid Marvel fan - has been praised by celebrities including Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Tom Holland and Anne Hathaway.

Evans, who plays Captain America in the Marvel film franchise, told him: "Pal, you're a hero."

The siblings had been at a friend's house when the attack happened, their aunt Nicole Walker said in an Instagram post.

Bridger later told his family that the child with them had pointed to two dogs while they were in the garden, describing one as the "nice dog" and the other as the "mean one".

The "mean one" then charged at them, so Bridger stood between the dog and his sister to stop it reaching her.

Instead of running off, the dog leaped up and grabbed hold of Bridger's cheek.

The six-year-old told his sister to run before managing to break free and leading her to a different part of the garden where he hoped they would be safe.

The dog's owners secured the dog and ran Bridger inside the house before calling emergency services.

Bridger's family said there was a "lot of blood", and firefighters who arrived at the scene had asked to cut off his shirt.

But Bridger refused, saying "My mum likes me in this shirt".

He was taken to hospital by ambulance, where he received 90 stitches to his face during a nearly two-hour surgery.

Bridger - who trains in jiu-jitsu - was told by a doctor that he was the "bravest patient" they ever had, his family said in an Instagram post.

"The only time he cried was when he got the IV," the family said.

Bridger was described by his family as an "absolute joy" and "full of love".

They added that when the attack happened "it was no surprise that he stepped up to the plate in a major way".

The six-year-old's heroic actions have caught the attention of a number of film stars, and he even received a video message from Evans.

In the heartwarming video shared by Bridger's family, Evans tells the young boy: "Hey Bridger, Captain America here. How you doing buddy?

"So I read your story, I saw what you did. Now I'm sure you've heard a lot of this over the last couple of days but let me be the next one to tell you - 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."