In a heartbreaking turn of events, a grandmother known for her dedication to rescuing injured deer met a tragic end when she was fatally injured by one of the beloved animals on her property.

Jodi Proger, aged 64, had spent over a decade rehabilitating whitetail deer on her spacious five-acre estate in Stewartsville, Ohio, located around 130 miles east of Columbus. Despite her years of caring for these creatures, on November 15, a buck fatally attacked her within an enclosure on the property.

Local law enforcement had to intervene by shooting the aggressive deer to reach Proger, who was unfortunately pronounced dead at the scene. Details regarding the specific nature of her injuries have not been disclosed to the public.

Proger’s involvement in deer rescue began in 2013 after she witnessed a doe being struck and killed by a vehicle. Moved by the incident, she rescued the doe’s orphaned fawn, whom she named Wheezer, as it helplessly circled its deceased mother on the road’s edge.

Facing challenges from state authorities later on, Proger fought to retain custody of Wheezer, expanding her efforts to rescue and care for other deer as well. She shared a close bond with Wheezer, even capturing moments of their domestic life together on social media, showcasing the buck lounging on furniture and partaking in festive celebrations with Proger.

Following Wheezer’s arrival, Proger extended her sanctuary to several more deer on her property, regularly sharing updates on her Facebook profile. Despite speculation, Proger’s daughter Jennifer Bryan clarified that Wheezer was not involved in the tragic incident, emphasizing that he had been neutered in compliance with state regulations.

Male whitetail deer, as noted by the National Park Service, can grow to considerable sizes, with males reaching heights over three feet at the shoulder and weighing up to 300 pounds. Bryan affirmed her mother’s expertise in caring for these animals and stressed that Proger was well aware of the risks involved.

Investigations into Proger’s untimely death are currently underway by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Ohio Department of Agriculture, seeking to shed light on the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate event.