A woman, Jodi Proger, aged 64, tragically lost her life to a deer she rescued at her home. Proger dedicated twelve years to rehabilitating whitetail deer on her five-acre property in Stewartsville, Ohio. On November 15, she was killed by a buck inside an enclosure.
Authorities had to shoot the deer to reach Proger, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The exact nature of her injuries has not been disclosed. Proger’s involvement in deer rescue began in 2013 when she saved a fawn after its mother was killed by a car.
She named the fawn Wheezer and faced challenges from state officials who wanted to seize him. Despite this, she retained custody of Wheezer and continued her efforts in deer rescue. Proger shared a close bond with Wheezer, treating him like a pet.
She also provided shelter to other deer on her property, showcasing their lives on social media. Despite speculations, Proger’s daughter clarified that Wheezer was not involved in the incident and that her mother was aware of the risks of caring for deer.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Ohio Department of Agriculture are investigating Proger’s death. The family is grieving the loss and has requested respect during this difficult time.