ST. CLAIRSVILLE – A Stewartsville woman is dead after being attacked by a deer that was being kept at her home, according to the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office.

BCSO deputies were called to the Proger residence in Stewartsville regarding a reported animal attack on Sunday evening.

Once they arrived, deputies were advised by family members that the victim, Jodi Proger, appeared to be trapped in a pen with a male deer that was being kept at the residence. The animal appeared to have attacked Proger.

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.

Proger succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Belmont County Coroner’s Office was subsequently contacted to assist.

The Belmont County Sheriff’s Office has notified the Ohio Department of Natural Resources of the incident. ODNR officials are currently communicating with the Ohio Department of Agriculture. No foul play is suspected in the matter.

Belmont County coroner Amanda Fisher said that her office was called to be on the scene once it was discovered Proger sustained fatal injuries by a male deer kept within an enclosure on her property.

“The victim and her husband possessed the appropriate permits required for maintaining deer on private land. Despite immediate efforts, Mrs. Proger had already succumbed to her injuries upon EMS arrival,” Fisher said. “This appears to have been an unfortunate and isolated event.”

She added that it is her understanding that Proger cared deeply for animals which makes her death especially heartbreaking for her family and community.

“Our office extends its condolences to the family during this extremely difficult time,” Fisher said.