Ohio law enforcement responded to 64-year-old Jodi Proger’s family home in Stewartsville on Saturday, November 15, shortly after 10:30 p.m. Deputies rushed to the scene after receiving an urgent call reporting a violent animal attack on the property.
When officers arrived, Sheriff James Zusack said family members told them Proger had become trapped inside an enclosure with a male deer she was attempting to rehabilitate. The situation had spiraled before anyone could reach her.
“Family members attempted to intervene and dispatch the animal prior to the arrival of law enforcement to reach the victim; however, the animal was ultimately dispatched by responding deputies to ensure scene safety,” Sheriff Zusack said, describing the chaos that unfolded as the family fought to get to her.
Proger kept several deer on the property, and officials have not confirmed which specific buck was responsible for the fatal attack.
Her passion for animal rehabilitation began more than ten years ago when she found an injured fawn in 2013. The fawn, orphaned after its mother was struck by a car, became her first long-term rescue. She named him Wheezer and soon opened her home to him as he recovered.
“I wasn’t gonna do it but I did it,” she said in a 2015 interview with The Dodo, where she also talked about the excitement of watching the young deer adjust to its new surroundings.
“Him and the dog will lie on the floor with each other. He loves the cats — he licks them to death.”
Experiences like these encouraged Proger to continue helping injured wildlife, and she soon became known for offering support and advice to others who wanted to care for animals in need.
“Jodi was appreciative and thankful for all of her ‘Wheezer Warriors.’ “
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Ohio Department of Agriculture are now investigating the circumstances of the attack, including whether the enclosure and care setup met legal requirements, according to ABC 6.
“Wheezer DID NOT kill my mother, he was neutered per the requirements of ODNR when she received her permit,” she said.
“My mom knew the dangers of owning deer, she’s been doing this for 12 years.”
Authorities believe a different deer under Proger’s care was the one that attacked her. Bryan shared that her mother had been inside the enclosure alone when things went wrong and became trapped before anyone could help.
Proger’s husband was in the ICU recovering from a workplace accident when the attack happened. Worried after being unable to reach her mother, Bryan sent her own husband to check on Proger at the property.
The situation forced the family to make an extremely difficult decision to protect both themselves and emergency personnel.
“I told Matt to get his gun, if there was a deer in his way to kill it if he had to get to my mother. I stand by this decision,” Bryan said, explaining the fear and urgency surrounding the moment.
“I then had to call and talk to my stepdad who was in ICU burn unit and tell him his wife was gone,” Bryan shared. “I’m sure you could imagine the heartache that was exchanged as I stood outside screaming and crying for my mother.”
