In the wake of UGA VII’s recent death, PETA blogger Logan Scherer has a novel suggestion about the direction the University of Georgia should take on its mascot.
(For a nude PETA poster of October Gonzalez, how ’bout UGA robot coach?)
To help end the crisis—and UGA’s string of preventable mascot deaths—we’re asking the University to honor Uga VII by replacing him with an animatronic or solely using their costumed mascot, Hairy Dawg.
We can’t think of a more fitting legacy for Uga VII than to stop the breeding of animals, which causes so many lethal genetic problems like those that undoubtedly contributed to his untimely death.
You read that right kids, PETA wants the school to considering using a robot bulldog as its mascot on game day.
Scherer cites the common knowledge about the breed’s genetic impairments as the main reason to eliminate a live bulldog as the Georgia mascot. The author implies that the popularity of the school’s practice only leads to more inbreeding among Bulldogs.
Of course, Scherer presents zero empirical data to support his claim, instead partially blaming the plight of the breed on the school’s tradition.
As an alumnus of the University of Georgia, I have witnessed first hand that the popularity of the UGA mascot has done nothing but increase the chances that other bulldogs will enjoy better care by their owners. Not to mention decreasing the chance of bulldogs being abandoned at birth or by owners later in life.
The major, obvious reason Bulldogs are so bred so enthusiastically is because of their centuries-long symbolic significance, from the Georgia Bulldog to the venerable English Bulldog.
But Scherer’s basic claim about the overbreeding of Bulldogs is true, but his later contention about poor conditions the Georgia mascots live under is an utter falsehood.
Having personally met the caretakers of the Georgia mascots, the Seiler family, and observed their care for the dogs over the years, Scherer couldn’t be more misguided. The Georgia mascots get infinitely better care than a typical Bulldog would in 99% of ownership cases.
In the case of non-domesticated animals as mascots, I’m not so keen. But to suggest that the Georgia Bulldog mascot in any way causes a debilitating effect on the rest of the breed is not only absurd, but dead wrong.
On second thought, if Georgia using a robot bulldog as mascot means Tony Gonzalez’ wife October will pose nude for another PETA promotional poster, I might budge a little and consider a robot as Georgia football coach. (Wait, we already have that one covered.)
5:48 pm on November 24th, 2009
Wow
5:53 pm on November 24th, 2009
I don’t know about the robot dog idea, but a regular bulldog costume mascot (like every other university has) would be a perfectly acceptable alternative. You may not agree with PETA or like their politics, but the charge they make about how mass breeding of dogs contributes to serious genetically-founded health problems is absolutely true.
We also put down over 5 million animals a year in this country, thanks largely in part to breeders.
7:05 pm on November 24th, 2009
u are gay that is the stupidest idea
8:02 pm on November 24th, 2009
“We also put down over 5 million animals a year in this country, thanks largely in part to breeders.”
No due to irresponsible breeders, i.e., puppy mills.
8:55 pm on November 24th, 2009
“We also put down over 5 million animals a year in this country, thanks largely in part to breeders.”
NO. Because people don’t help control the pet population by having their pets spayed or neutered.
8:59 pm on November 24th, 2009
Thank God these people weren’t around when I was trying to genetically alter my “British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith.
9:00 pm on November 24th, 2009
P - People
E - Eating
T - Tasty
A - Animals
9:38 pm on November 24th, 2009
f peta
10:06 pm on November 24th, 2009
I see this from both points but as stated the owners take VERY good care of these bulldogs its just plain dumb to think that a tradition should be stopped because its unethical. So your telling me they are going to tell my neighbor not to own a pitbull, or a dalmation or a bulldog in that case.. seriously -.- they don’t mistreat the animals let them be
10:46 pm on November 24th, 2009
PETA is the most useless organization on earth. Do you have to score less than 75 on an IQ test to be a part of this extremist group or what? I believe the government should send each PETA member a bill each month for the amount of oxygen they consume breathing. Human rights activists also.
1:57 am on November 25th, 2009
Peta…. you guys are really treading a thin line in the wrong effing state. Don’t let the Mike Vick thing blow your head up… a lot of your more vocal supporters in that also preferred Joey Harrington as a starter… and not because he played better football or treated animals better.
7:55 am on November 25th, 2009
PETA Your barking up the wrong tree !! Your talking about one of the most cared for dogs in the universe. Go after the puppy mills yes But Come on. Maybe you should go out and get a real job!! WAY TO MUCH TIME ON YOUR HANDS
8:23 am on November 25th, 2009
A robot? You have to be kidding me. This is the most unbelievable thing i have ever heard. As a UGA fan, I would like to say your a idiot Logan Scherer. First off your novel idea sucks, also what happens when the stupid robot runs out of batteries. How about all the other mascots that are real pets. Should LSU get a robot tiger? Technology fails and is the reason this once wonderful country is doing down the drain; on the other hand, mans best friend will never fail ya. I wish I could really say what is on my mind…
9:45 am on November 25th, 2009
I’m a Tennessee fan and I think the University of Georgia should tell pETA to kiss thier collective asses.
10:07 am on November 25th, 2009
PETA is a joke, along with everything they stand for.
I Hope they have Ten Live Bulldogs next year!
By the way, eat Beef, its whats for dinner.
Or Pork, the other white meat.
I eat chickens and hotdogs, Squirrel, rabbit, deer, and wear fur.
10:29 am on November 25th, 2009
PETA is doing everything in their power to lose any legitimacy in the eyes of everyone except for their “cult-like” following. They have now offended just about every group of individuals in our pop culture. This group of individuals could possibly help humans in need if they spent as much time as they do following an actual dog mascot. The group is a bunch of whack jobs that do not belong in any public eye. Reporters are just as pathetic that they have to include what PETA even has to say about anything, therefore giving PETA any legitimacy and taking away from their own integrity. Find a real story to write about!!!
11:18 am on November 25th, 2009
Please, yes we can all connect with some metal and plastic dog. Come on where do these people come up with this trash? I am a graduate of Mississippi State where we too have an awesome live BULLDOG as our mascot. We have our beloved Bully and we aren’t about to send him into retirement. How many dogs who have never seen a football field are treated with the love and care that MSU’s and UGA’s bulldogs are given? They have the best K-9 care possible all the time. If you PETA folks want a cause why not go after the people with exotic pets? Do you think it is OK for mice to be eaten all the time by big snakes? You PETA people are only looking for a bit of publicity. All I can say is if having a bulldog mascot is the only big issues your group is facing in the world of animals you need to close your doors.
12:13 pm on November 25th, 2009
You know what I love about PETA…It stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals…Yet they support collecting and slaughtering all domesticated animals. How is that ethical?
They are just a bunch of hippie liberals that just write blogs on the internet rather than actually helping out. I volunteer at a no-kill animal shelter and do you know how many PETA members I’ve come across working with shelters? 0. They talk a big game to get their name on the net, newspapers, or TVs. But, when it actually comes to helping somehow other than a protest, they’re can’t be found.
1:15 pm on November 25th, 2009
Josh, I was a hippie and I am liberal. You made a generalized statement and that never is accurate. I also volunteer at a no-kill shelter. PETA is a group of publicity-seeking losers. Don’t you group me with them. Get yourselves another bulldog, Georgia and be certain to send plenty of photographs of it to those PETA freaks.
PETA pls go away or at least do something useful and productive.
5:04 pm on November 25th, 2009
Only bad part of the robot idea is they would have to get GT Engineers to design it for them. All in all I have to agree, PETA has way to much time on their hands and it seems no real direction. Leave the puppies alone they have enough problems on the field without a bunch of nut cases on them.
5:06 pm on November 25th, 2009
Obviously, we need an organization to protect the rights of robots before this gets ugly. Fast.
6:21 pm on November 25th, 2009
I’m not a uga fan but i do live in georgia and not having an uga on the sideline is idiotic bulldogs in general have health problems to begin with. whats next texas not having bevo in the sideline I am an OU fan and not seeing the sooner schooner not coming out on the field after a touchdown would be ridiculous. certain mascots are a tradition for college football PETA needs to just butt out and leave it alone.
9:02 pm on November 25th, 2009
What a waste of brain cells. I have a Novel suggestion for PETA. GET A LIFE!! Why don’t we replace everyone of you with robots? Would probably be more useful.
8:39 am on November 26th, 2009
Utterly ridiculous. I am an animal lover, I love my cats as much as any human being. But PETA is the ultimate club for losers!!! Please, get of your high horse, just like the religious right, God doesn’t have a direct line with you guys. Please, get over yourselves and do something useful. Go to animal shelters, donate time and money for worthy causes, but all you have time is to complain about UGA. Jesus Christ, I wish I was UGA VIII, that do will be so spoiled it’s not even funny. I tell you what, who’s with me, we should gather PETA members and take them to Michael Vick’s house and have PETA members fight to the death. That would be fun!!!
10:27 am on November 26th, 2009
Another really STUPID idea from the dipps at peta
8:24 pm on November 26th, 2009
Really…How bad ass would it be to view your team every week at the game for free. I’m there. Dog, as mans best friend love the companionship. The replacement pup would be loved and cared for properly. A robot??? How about let it go for the issues that dont put the animal in harms way.
Go Doggs!
8:55 pm on November 26th, 2009
The peta folks are obviously bunkies with Martha Moxley , the
“Let women join the all male Augusta National golf club” We let her stage a rally a in a fireant colony.Hot idea Peta..
10:45 pm on November 26th, 2009
Bulldogs are admittedly a short lived breed compared to others but as an owner of one I can tell you they are the best of dogs. They are so loving and sweet. I rather have one of them for 8 to 10 years as to have some other breed for longer. Mine happens to be 11 today and stil healthy. I can’t begin to tell you the happiness he has brought to our family. BULLDOGS ARE #1.
11:25 pm on November 26th, 2009
PETA are absolute idiots. Im not a UGA fan, but replacing the live mascot with a robot is ridiculous.
LONG LIVE SMOKEY.
1:16 pm on November 27th, 2009
PETA has no concern for animals! They have accomplished what they intended with this ridiculous proposal. Sports nation has taken the suggestion seriously, given it ink and air time and the whackos are taking time out writing checks to tele-evalgelists by sending one to PETA.
2:14 pm on November 27th, 2009
These people from PETA need to get a life. UGA will live on in the next bulldog to come to Georgia. As far as a robot. I agree that PETA needs to be replaced with one. RIP UGA VII
9:22 pm on November 27th, 2009
OK PETA, how will we landfill all the robotic animals?
I also suggest PETA to jump into Shark infested waters and insist that they leave people alone and go veggie. Let me know how that works.
Kevin
2:39 am on November 28th, 2009
Why? Why must these enviro-whackos try and get involved in everything? A bunch of rich twenty-somethings with too much time and money on their hands. Do they want Bevo put out to pasture? The Florida gator? Ralphie? The Air Force Falcon? War Eagle? And what about Smokey? He rocks!
First they took away the tribal names, now they want to take away the mascots, what next, no more keeping score?????
12:24 pm on November 28th, 2009
I am SOOOO happy to see that so many people, GA fans or not, think PETA is going way overboard. I was at the UGA/KY game last week, and the absence of UGA was heartbreaking! We love our mascot dearly, and he is one of the most well taken care of animals on earth. Most people don’t care for their children as well as this family cares for the lucky dawg chosen to walk the sidelines between the hedges!! LONG LIVE UGA!!!!
1:13 pm on November 28th, 2009
PETA, I believe that stands for People Eating Tender Animals!!
GO UGA
2:47 pm on November 28th, 2009
UGA is more than just a mascot, he is part of the Georgia Bulldog Team. He has graced the sidelines of UGA for years…………..It’s a tradition. This world has become to automated as it is………….LET THE BULLDOG LIVE…… And as for animals being put down in this country….. WE SICK PEOPLE “PUT DOWN” JUST AS MANY HUMAN LIVES…….
12:38 am on November 29th, 2009
are you all retarded???
1:54 am on November 29th, 2009
PETA is a bunch of I-D-I-O-T-S!!!
5:34 pm on November 29th, 2009
All PETA does is employ Lawyers and Public Relations Specialists, they do absolutely nothing to help animals wild or domestic. You will never see them getting their hands dirty doing a habitat projects or helping our senior citizen farmers. I have taught my kids to hunt and fish, we raise dogs and pigs. We are Ole Miss Rebels and we love the Bulldogs at Georgia and Mississippi State!
8:50 pm on November 29th, 2009
I also eat meat and have a nice winter coat made from the skins of 6 PETA ex-members. It is warm as well as stylish and represents the ultimate best use for PETA members.
11:59 am on November 30th, 2009
As an engineer I detest the use of Robots for a mascot at UGA.
I’m gonna start an organization
PETR - People for the Ethical Treatment of Robots.
Uga the dog typically wouldn’t survive a decade of beatdowns by UF. Uga the robot would have had to suffer through 17 losses in the past 20 years. And in the absence of a microchip malfunction Uga the robot would remember each one of those spectacular losses in detail.
2:43 pm on November 30th, 2009
peta sucks
2:50 pm on November 30th, 2009
PETA is worried about inbreeding? Isn’t that a requirement for membership? All new applications for membership require a certified linage form ,proving your inbreed legecy. Peta needs to just go away.
4:37 pm on November 30th, 2009
Wow what an idiot. Sometimes I don’t know what is worse Peta or those that support things like this from PETA. Replace UGA with another REAL Bulldog.
8:59 am on December 1st, 2009
PETA you poor, delusional, misguided, vacuous air-heads. You claim to care about animal rights and the ethical treatment thereof, yet as I watch a commercial for the “one snap and dead” D-Con mouse/rat trap I know PETA wont have a word to say about it. Face it PETA - if it ain’t cute and cuddly it’s apparently NOT AN ANIMAL that deserves your support. Who among you decides which creatures to defend? If you dont defend them all you dont deserve to defend any!
5:41 pm on December 1st, 2009
Is Peta crazy. I am not a georgia fan, but let them keep the dog. he is treated better than some humans. why start with georgia, why dont they go to texas, oklahoma, colorado.
6:24 pm on December 1st, 2009
see this is why we stress the importance of a good education, so you don’t end up in a organization with this group of dumb asses. I’m from ga and i can assure Peta that uga will always be there as long as the school is. If any thing needs to be put to rest its the jackasses in peta not uga. LONG LIVE UGA,
9:25 pm on December 1st, 2009
I always knew that the GA bulldogs were a bunch of inbreeds. This just provides the additional evidence.