On July 9, Bridger sprang into action when a 1-year-old German Shepherd mix charged against his 4-year-old sister, a family statement obtained by CNN states. While protecting his sister, the dog brutally attacked him.
“Tragically, instead of running away, the dog jumped up and grabbed onto Bridger’s cheek,” the statement says in part.
Bridger subsequently underwent a two-hour surgery that required more than 90 stitches, according to his family. And when his father asked him why he jumped between his sister and the dog, he is said to have said, “If anyone had to die, I thought it should be me,” according to the statement.
The young man’s aunt started an Instagram page and shared that Bridger is a fan of the Avengers, which caught Hathaway’s attention.
“I can only hope to be half as brave in my life as you are in yours, Bridger. I wish you an easy recovery and many great rocks. Hello @markruffalo, do you need a teammate?”
The cast members of the popular franchise have yet to comment publicly, but the Hathaway post has garnered more than 1 million likes and thousands of comments praising the boy.
The family also says that Ruffalo, Tom Holland, Hugh Jackman, Zachary Levi, brothers Russo and Robbie Amell are among those who have reached out to them.
“That we can follow Bridger’s example, approach the world as children and bring greater peace to our own homes, communities, states and countries,” the family concluded in their statement.
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