University of Georgia Bulldogs mascot UGA dies

UGA VIII, Georgia’s white English bulldog mascot, died Friday from lymphoma, ending his reign as mascot after only half of a season. Georgia senior associate athletic director Claude Felton said no formal funeral service had been scheduled.

Uga VIII died before serving a full season on the Sanford Stadium sideline. He took over as the team’s mascot for Georgia’s Oct. 16 game against Vanderbilt and was mascot for the final six games of the regular season. The white English bulldog was diagnosed with lymphoma in early January, but the school said he had been responding well to treatment. He missed Georgia’s Liberty Bowl loss to Central Florida with what was believed to be a gastrointestinal condition. Further tests revealed the more serious condition. Uga VIII took over last season for Russ, Uga VII’s half brother who filled in as mascot in 2009 and early in 2010. Felton said Russ again will step in as the school’s mascot.

Uga VIII, who was 17 months old, lived with the Frank W. "Sonny" Seiler family of Savannah, Ga. The family has owned the Uga line of mascots for 50 years.