The Georgia Bulldogs’ mascot, Uga the Seventh, recently died, aged four, of a congenital heart condition. His predecessor Uga the Sixth died of a similar complaint the year before.



Peta’s Georgia chapter have asked them to make Uga the Eighth out of servos and wires, saying bulldogs are, despite reputation, rather feeble, inbred creatures, and simply breeding them is inherently cruel.

In a statement, the group said: “Peta has asked the school's athletic director, Damon M Evans, to replace the mascot with an animatronic dog - or to rely solely on a costumed mascot - instead of using another real bulldog.

“Bulldogs are prone to breathing difficulties, hip dysplasia, heart disorders, and other congenital ailments, and acquiring a dog from a breeder perpetuates the animal overpopulation crisis while causing another dog waiting in an animal shelter to be condemned to death.”

After Uga the Sixth’s untimely death, Peta merely demanded that the Bulldogs’ next bulldog be taken from a shelter. However, they have now insisted that only a fully cybernetic canine can meet their requirements.

Peta assistant director Kristie Phelps said: "It is time for the university to put an end to the cycle of suffering endured by dogs who are brought into the world solely to represent the school's 'brand'.

"By choosing a humane alternative to the use of live animals as school mascots, UGA can show that compassion always wins."

A university spokesman said that Peta made "good points that deserve our consideration”, according to The Register.
The University of Georgia has set up a fund in Uga the Seventh’s name, allowing mourners to donate towards a new animal hospital for the school’s veterinary medicine department.