A woman who devoted herself to aiding injured deer met a tragic end when she was fatally injured by one of the animals she had cared for at her residence.
Jodi Proger, aged 64, had been rehabilitating whitetail deer on her five-acre property in Stewartsville, Ohio, for the past 12 years. Unfortunately, on November 15, she was fatally injured by a buck after getting trapped inside an enclosure with the animal.
Local law enforcement had to intervene by shooting the aggressive deer to access Proger, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Details of her injuries have not been disclosed to the public.
Proger’s involvement in deer rescue began in 2013 when she witnessed a doe being hit and killed by a vehicle. She rescued the doe’s fawn, which was only a few days old, as it wandered near its deceased mother on the roadside.
Despite facing challenges, Proger successfully retained custody of the fawn, named Wheezer, and continued her efforts to rescue more deer. She affectionately described Wheezer as being similar to a large dog and shared a close bond with him, frequently posting about their companionship on social media.
Over time, Proger expanded her sanctuary to shelter additional deer besides Wheezer, showcasing them on her Facebook profile. Following Proger’s tragic death, investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Proger’s daughter, Jennifer Bryan, refuted speculations linking Wheezer to the fatal accident, emphasizing that he had been neutered as required by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Bryan highlighted her mother’s expertise in handling deer and her commitment to animal rescue efforts throughout her life.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Ohio Department of Agriculture are currently investigating the incident.