Grandma mauled to death by deer she rescued and tried to domesticate
An Ohio grandmother died after being attacked by a deer she was trying to save.
Jodi Proger, 64, was injured after becoming trapped inside a pen with money she was trying to rehabilitate at her Stewartsville home.
The Belmont County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of an animal attack on the evening of Nov. 15, according to a statement from Sheriff James Zusack.
Proger’s son-in-law realized he was pinned against the attacking animal and immediately realized he was being brutally beaten.
He grabbed his gun and tried to kill her to get to her and prevent further injury.
However, the deer was eventually killed by law enforcement officers who arrived around 11 p.m.
The statement continued: ‘Tragically, Ms Proger succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. No foul play was suspected.
Proger’s daughter, Jennifer Bryan, announced on social media that the unidentified deer escaped from its enclosure and the family wasn’t sure how it happened.
Jodi Proger was trapped and brutally killed by a deer she was trying to rehabilitate
The 64-year-old was inspired to rehabilitate wildlife by her beloved deer Wheezer (pictured)
Proger had been rehabilitating deer for the past 12 years. Pictured is his friend Wheezer, who is not responsible for his death.
Bryan said her husband went to Proger’s house when his family couldn’t contact him.
‘My husband went for me because when he realized he wasn’t active on Facebook [Facebook]”My heart dropped and unfortunately I experienced such a great loss and witnessing it changed me,” he said.
The culprit was one of the many deer Proger kept and cared for on the five-acre farm where she lived with her husband.
“Mom knew the risks but enjoyed every minute loving and nurturing these animals,” Bryan wrote on social media.
He said his mother obtained all the necessary permits to keep and rehabilitate the animals in Ohio.
Proger dedicated the last 12 years of his life to deer rehabilitation after rescuing his dear friend Wheezer in 2013.
Proger lived on a five-acre farm with her husband and horses
Proger and Wheezer gained a legion of fans online after the duo shared photos of themselves dressing up together, celebrating holidays, and lounging around at Proger’s house.
According to a 2015 article dodoProger found Wheezer while driving on the highway in 2013.
Wheezer’s mother died in a car accident, leaving the fawn panicked and alone. With no elk sanctuary in Ohio, Proger felt he had no choice but to take it in.
Bryan confirmed that Wheezer was not the one who killed his mother. Wheezer was spayed/neutered, trained and even taken into home care.
According to Proger, the moose behaved like an average American dog.
“He’s going to go up on the loveseat, watch some TV and sit on the loveseat,” Proger told the outlet.
According to his obituary, Proger was an ‘avid animal lover’ who loved horseback riding and rescuing injured creatures.
Proger’s daughter confirms it wasn’t Wheezer who attacked her mother
According to Proger, Wheezer was completely domesticated and his household was disrupted.
“Over the years, Jodi spent her time advocating for animals and wildlife,” the tribute read. it said.
‘Jodi passed on her knowledge of caring for injured animals and offered to help others; this often included advocating and providing resources in times of need. Jodi was grateful and appreciative of all the “Wheezer Warriors”.’
She is survived by her husband, daughter and three grandchildren. His family has asked for donations to be made to local animal shelters in his honor.
The Daily Mail has contacted the Belmont County Sheriff’s office and Proger’s family for comment.
