Ohio grandmother mauled to death by deer she was taking care of after animal escaping its enclosure. Victim had been rescuing and taking care of many deer over the years.
An Ohio grandmother has died after being mauled to death by a deer she had rescued days earlier.
Jodi Proger, 64, was attacked by the ‘wild animal’ after escaping an enclosure at her five acre home in Stewartsville, Ohio on November 15.
The tragedy happened while Proger was attempting to rehabilitate the ‘male deer’ which was kept in in a pen, according to a statement from Sheriff James Zusack with the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office.
Ohio 64-year-old woman had rescued and nurtured many deers over the years
Notice of the attack led to Proger’s son in law grabbing his gun and attempting to kill the the deer, which had ‘suddenly become aggressive’ in order to get at the 64-year old woman who at some point became trapped in the enclosure.
The deer was ultimately put to death by law enforcement who arrived at the home around 11pm.
Stated the Belmont Sheriffi’s Office in part, ‘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.
‘Tragically, Ms. Proger succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.’
According to police, the incident happened after the deer managing to escape from its enclosure.
Ironically, the wild animal was one of many deer that Proger had kept and cared for on the five acre farm she lived on with her husband over the years.
Ohio officials had previously sought to ban her from keeping deers at her home
‘My mother knew the risks, but she enjoyed every minute of loving and nurturing these animals,’ according to the victim’s daughter, Jennifer Bryan posted on Facebook. ‘My mom knew the dangers of owning deer, she’s been doing this for 12 years.’
Bryan said her mother had obtained all of the proper permits to keep and rehabilitate animals in Ohio.
According to the daughter, Proger dedicated the last 12 years of her life to deer rehabilitation beginning in 2013 when she rescued the fawn of a deer struck by a car.
Proger held on to the animal she called, ‘Wheezer’ after someone eventually lodging a complaint with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources two years later. State officials threatened to seize the wild animal, but Proger managed to retain custody of her ‘pet’ before eventually expanded her efforts to rescue other deer and ‘domesticate’ them according to the mirror.
Proger is survived by her husband, daughter, and three grandchildren. Her family asked for contributions to local animal shelters in her honor.
