A woman, known for her dedication to rescuing injured deer, tragically lost her life in an incident involving one of the animals she cared for deeply. 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 while inside an enclosure with the animal.
Law enforcement authorities in Belmont County had to intervene by shooting the aggressive deer in order to access Proger, who was pronounced deceased at the scene. Details regarding the exact nature of her injuries have not been disclosed publicly.
Proger’s involvement in deer rescue began in 2013 after witnessing a doe being hit by a car. She saved the doe’s days-old fawn, which she named Wheezer, and continued to care for him despite facing challenges from state officials who threatened to take him away. Proger’s bond with Wheezer was evident in their shared domestic life, as captured in numerous photos and social media posts.
Apart from Wheezer, Proger also provided shelter to several other deer on her property and shared updates about them on her Facebook profile. Following her tragic death, investigations into the incident are being conducted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Ohio Department of Agriculture.
Proger’s daughter, Jennifer Bryan, clarified that Wheezer was not involved in the fatal incident, emphasizing that her mother was experienced in handling deer and aware of the risks involved. Bryan urged for respect and privacy during this difficult time for their family.