A woman tragically lost her life to a deer she had rescued and tried to tame when the animal unexpectedly attacked her.
Jodi Proger, a 64-year-old grandmother, was fatally injured by the deer on November 15 while inside the enclosure with it. Her involvement with rescuing deer began in 2013, following an incident where she witnessed a doe being hit by a car on a highway.
One of Jodi’s notable rescues was a fawn that she saved after finding it near its deceased mother on the roadside. She named the fawn Wheezer and faced challenges from authorities who wanted to euthanize the deer, but Jodi successfully kept her beloved rescued animal.
Describing Wheezer as being akin to a dog in a 2015 interview, Jodi showcased her bond with the deer on her dedicated Facebook page, sharing photos of them in themed outfits on various occasions.
Before her tragic demise, Jodi had brought home several other deer, all of which were featured in her social media posts. Contrary to initial speculation, it was clarified by Jodi’s daughter that Wheezer was not responsible for the fatal incident and had been neutered as required by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
In a statement, Jennifer Bryan emphasized her mother’s passion for rescuing animals and highlighted her licensing to care for them. An investigation into the circumstances of Jodi’s death has been initiated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
While deer-related fatalities in the US are primarily due to collisions with vehicles, they account for a significant portion of wildlife-related deaths in the country annually.