A grandmother who dedicated over a decade to rescuing and rehabilitating injured deer has been tragically killed by one of the animals she cared for at her Ohio home.
The Tragic Incident
Jodi Proger, 64, was found dead in an enclosure on her five-acre property in Stewartsville on November 15. The Belmont County police responded to the scene but were unable to immediately reach Proger due to an aggressive buck blocking their path.
Authorities made the difficult decision to shoot the deer to access the enclosure, where they discovered Proger had already succumbed to her injuries. The exact nature of her wounds has not been publicly disclosed by investigators.
A Life Dedicated to Animal Rescue
Proger's journey into deer rehabilitation began in 2013 when she witnessed a heartbreaking scene: a doe had been struck and killed by a vehicle, leaving its days-old fawn circling the mother's body on the roadside.
"I wasn't gonna do it, but I did it," Proger later told The Dodo, recalling how she turned her car around to rescue the newborn male fawn. She named the deer Wheezer and formed an extraordinary bond with him over the years.
Proger's commitment to Wheezer was tested when someone filed a complaint with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources two years after the rescue. State officials threatened to seize the animal, but Proger successfully fought to maintain custody of her beloved pet.
Domestic Life with Wild Animals
Proger regularly documented her unique relationship with Wheezer on social media, sharing photographs that showed the buck fully integrated into domestic life. Images captured the animal lounging on sofas, sprawling across beds, and even celebrating holidays with Proger in coordinated outfits for Christmas, St Patrick's Day and Valentine's Day.
"He's like a big dog," Proger fondly described Wheezer in a 2015 interview with 12 On Your Side. Their bond was so close that Proger was known to share food directly from her mouth with the deer.
Following Wheezer's successful rehabilitation, Proger expanded her efforts to rescue other deer, providing sanctuary to at least four additional does and bucks on her property.
Family Response and Investigation
While authorities haven't confirmed which specific animal was responsible for Proger's death, her daughter Jennifer Bryan quickly addressed speculation that Wheezer might have been involved.
"Wheezer DID NOT kill my mom," Bryan stated emphatically in a detailed Facebook message. She explained that Wheezer had been neutered as required by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources when Proger obtained her permit.
Bryan emphasised that her mother held proper licensing to care for the creatures and "knew the risks" associated with handling wild animals. Male whitetail deer can grow to over three feet at the shoulder and weigh up to 300 pounds, according to the National Park Service.
"My mom knew the dangers of owning deer," Bryan explained. "She worked within Belmont county to rescue and aide many animals over her lifespan. This is a sad tragedy and we deserve RESPECT and time to grieve."
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Ohio Department of Agriculture have launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding Proger's death.
