Tragic End for Devoted Animal Rescuer
A 64-year-old grandmother from Ohio, who dedicated over a decade to saving wildlife, has died following a brutal attack by a deer she was attempting to rescue. Jodi Proger was mauled after becoming trapped inside a pen with an aggressive buck at her Stewartsville home.
A Fatal Encounter
The Belmont County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of an animal attack on the evening of November 15. According to a statement from Sheriff James Zusack, Proger's son-in-law made the grim discovery. He found her trapped with the aggressive animal and saw that she had been brutally beaten.
In a desperate attempt to save her and prevent further injury, her son-in-law grabbed his gun and tried to kill the deer. Ultimately, law enforcement officers who arrived at the scene around 11pm were the ones who put the animal down.
'Tragically, Ms. Proger succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene,' the sheriff's statement confirmed. Authorities confirmed that no foul play was suspected.
A Life Dedicated to Wildlife
Proger's daughter, Jennifer Bryan, explained on social media that the unidentified deer had somehow escaped from its enclosure. The family was unsure how this had happened. Bryan revealed that her husband went to check on Proger after the family couldn't contact her.
'My husband went instead of me, because when I realized she had not been active on Facebook, my heart dropped,' Bryan wrote. 'Unfortunately I have suffered tremendous loss and witnessing it has changed me.'
The aggressive deer was one of many that Proger cared for on the five-acre farm she shared with her husband. 'My mother knew the risks, but she enjoyed every minute of loving and nurturing these animals,' Bryan wrote. She confirmed her mother had obtained all the proper permits required to keep and rehabilitate animals in Ohio.
The Legacy of Wheezer
Proger had been rehabilitating deer for the last 12 years, a passion ignited after rescuing her beloved companion, Wheezer, in 2013. According to a 2015 article, Proger found the fawn on a highway after its mother was killed in a road accident. With no deer sanctuaries available in Ohio, she felt compelled to take him in.
Proger and Wheezer gained online fame through photos showing them dressed up for holidays and relaxing together in her home. Bryan was quick to confirm that Wheezer was not responsible for her mother's death. The neutered deer was completely domesticated, housebroken, and behaved much like a family dog.
'He'll climb up on the loveseat and he'll watch a little TV and he'll crash on the loveseat,' Proger had once said of Wheezer.
A Lasting Tribute
Her obituary remembered Proger as 'an avid animal lover' who enjoyed horseback riding and rescuing injured creatures. 'Over the years, Jodi has spent her time advocating for animals and wildlife,' the tribute read. 'Jodi provided her knowledge of caring for injured animals and offered assistance to others.'
Proger is survived by her husband, daughter, and three grandchildren. Her family has asked for contributions to local animal shelters in her memory, a fitting tribute to a woman whose life was defined by her compassion for creatures in need.
