The Georgia Bulldogs were able to secure their second straight national championship earlier this month against the TCU Horned Frogs, but PETA believes that an “outdated” tradition leaves a dark mark on the program off the football field.
The animal rights group blasted Georgia for its use of a live mascot, an English Bulldog named Uga on the football field prior to football games.
PETA president Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman said in a statement found by Fox News that the school should end this tradition because it “drives demand for breathing-impaired breeds” such as English Bulldogs.
“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can’t UGA find it in its heart to honestly examine the impact of its promotion of deformed dogs and call time on its outdated, live-animal mascot program?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 is calling on (University of Georgia president) Jere Morehead to be a peach and replace poor Uga with a human mascot who can support the team in a winning way.”
Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks issued a statement in reply to PETA’s criticism, saying that Uga is a beloved mascot and that he will likely remain their mascot going forward.
“We are proud of our beloved mascot and grateful for the excellent care provided by Uga’s devoted owners, the Seiler family,” said Brooks.
The use of a live bulldog has been a staple for the university for years now. Uga is actually the tenth of his name that has served as the team’s mascot, and he is certainly a valued piece of Georgia athletics.
Fans were upset that the mascot was not able to make the trip to California for the national championship this year, and chances are they would be even more upset if the Georgia Bulldogs replaced him with a human mascot.
[Fox News]
