The English bulldog that served as the mascot for the University of Georgia Athens, UGA VII, passed away today. He was the seventh dog to have this role and his run began August 30, 2008. Nearing the end of his second season, UGA VII was only 4 years old and is reported to have died of heart related problems. His father and predecessor, UGA VI, had been the mascot for UGA for nine years. According to a report on georgiadogs.com, there will be no mascot at the upcoming Georgia game on Saturday. However the former mascot’s north sideline doghouse will have a wreath placed upon it for the game.
Dogs have been mascots for UGA regularly since 1946, but the pure English bulldogs belonging to the Sonny Seiler family of Savannah Georgia have been the mascot since 1956. The family has noted that there are several options for a replacement mascot, but no decision is likely to be made until some time next year.