An Ohio woman known for dedicating 12 years of her life to rescuing injured deer was fatally attacked by a buck on her property earlier this month.
In a statement, the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office said that deputies had responded to the residence of Jodi Proger, 64, “regarding a reported animal attack” on the evening of Nov. 15.
Family members told responding deputies that Proger had seemingly been trapped inside a pen with “a male deer that was being kept at the residence.”
Prior to deputies’ arrival, per the department’s statement, family members made efforts to take down the deer themselves. The buck was later killed by responding deputies, with the department stating this was done to ensure the “safety” of the scene.
Proger was pronounced dead at the scene, having succumbed to injuries sustained in the attack.
Complex has reached out to the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for comment, and this story may be updated.
An online obituary, available here, remembers Proger for devoting “the last 12 years of her life” to rescuing injured deer. This was inspired by her love for Wheezer, the name given to a deer she previously rescued and subsequently raised.
Wheezer is not the same deer mentioned in the Belmont County Sheriff's Office statement. This has been clarified in several recent reports, all citing a Facebook post from a Proger family member.
Proger and Wheezer made headlines together in the past, including in connection with a community effort to spare the rescued animal’s life amid a state legality debate.
“Jodi provided her knowledge of caring for injured animals and offered assistance to others, which often included advocating and providing resources during their time of need,” reads Proger’s obituary. “Jodi was appreciative and thankful for all of her ‘Wheezer Warriors.’”
In lieu of flowers, Proger’s family has asked that memorial contributions instead be made to regional animal shelters or food banks.