Jodi Proger, 64, was found dead in an enclosure with one of the rescued deer she had rehabilitated for 12 years at her Stewartsville home. Police were forced to shoot the aggressive deer in order to reach her
A grandmother who dedicated her life to rescuing injured deer was tragically killed by one of the animals she loved so dearly at her home.
Jodi Proger, 64, had spent the last 12 years rehabilitating whitetail deer on her five-acre property in Stewartsville, Ohio, a small town about 130 miles east of Columbus. However, on November 15, she was killed by a buck after becoming trapped inside an enclosure with the animal.
Belmont County police were forced to shoot the aggressive deer in order to reach Proger, who was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. The nature of her injuries has not been disclosed to the public.
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Proger’s journey into deer rescue began in 2013 when she witnessed a doe being hit and killed by a car. She rescued its days-old fawn as the poor creature circled its mother’s body on the side of the road.
“I wasn’t gonna do it, but I did it,” she confessed to The Dodo, recalling how she turned her car around to save the newborn male, reports the Mirror US.
Proger named the fawn Wheezer and fought tooth and nail to keep him after someone lodged a complaint with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources two years later. State officials threatened to seize Wheezer, but Proger managed to retain custody of her pet and even expanded her efforts to rescue other deer.
“He’s like a big dog,” Proger fondly said of Wheezer in a 2015 interview with 12 On Your Side. Proger regularly documented her bond with Wheezer on social media. Numerous photographs captured the buck settling into domestic life at Proger’s residence, lounging on sofas and sprawling across beds.
The pair were frequently pictured in coordinated ensembles during festive occasions including Christmas, St Patrick’s Day and Valentine’s Day. Proger was even known to share food directly from her mouth with Wheezer.
Following Wheezer’s arrival, Proger provided sanctuary to at least four additional does and bucks. Images of these creatures appeared regularly on Proger’s Facebook profile.
Authorities have not confirmed which animal was responsible for Proger’s death, though her daughter Jennifer Bryan swiftly dismissed speculation that Wheezer was involved in the fatal incident.
“Wheezer DID NOT kill my mom,” Bryan stated in an extensive Facebook message. “He was neutered per the requirements of [Ohio Department of Natural Resources] when she received her permit.”
Male whitetail deer can reach heights exceeding three feet at the shoulder and tip the scales at up to 300 pounds, the National Park Service reports. Bryan emphasised her mother held proper licensing to care for the creatures and “knew the risks” associated with handling them.
“My mom knew the dangers of owning deer,” she explained. “She worked within Belmont county to rescue and aide many animals over her lifespan,” the devoted daughter added, stating afterwards, “This is a sad tragedy and we deserve RESPECT and time to grieve.”
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Ohio Department of Agriculture are conducting investigations into Proger’s death.
