PETA calls on Georgia to retire live UGA mascot after national title
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is calling on the University of Georgia to retire its live mascot, Uga, following the Bulldogs second straight national title win on Monday.
In a letter to Georgia President Jere Morehead, the animal rights organization called on Morehead to “be a peach and replace poor Uga with a human mascot who can support the team in a winning way.”
According to the organization, English bulldogs are among breathing-impaired breeds, such as pugs, boxers and some species of bulldogs, that are purposely bred in such a way leaving them “struggling to walk, play and even breathe.”
“As the back-to-back national champion, can’t UGA find it in its heart to honestly examine the impact of its promotion of deformed dogs and call time on its outdated, live-animal mascot program?” PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman said.
It’s the second time the organization has asked for the university to stop using the live bulldog. Georgia also has a costumed bulldog stalking the sidelines, Hairy Dawg.
PETA states that Uga is a ”living, feeling being, not a toy to be carted to chaotic football stadiums across the country and trotted out in front of scores of screaming fans.”
The live bulldog has been under the care of the Seiler family for more than 50 years and has been a fixture of Georgia games since 1956, according to the school. The current mascot, Uga X, did not make the trip to California for Monday night’s game against TCU as “the trip would be too difficult,” according to CBS. Uga X has served as Georgia’s official mascot since the 2015 season.
Georgia awards all of the dogs who serve as Uga varsity letters, and the dog enjoys an air conditioned doghouse located next to the cheerleaders’ platform. Previous Ugas are buried in marble vaults near the main gate at Sanford Stadium in Athens.
“Epitaphs to the dogs are inscribed in bronze, and before each home game, flowers are placed on their graves. The memorial plot attracts hundreds of fans and visitors each year,” the school states on its website.
Peta’s request drew a terse response from Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, a graduate of Georgia’s business and law school.