Georgia bulldog mascot dies

Jun 28, 2008 - 5:56 PM ATHENS, Georgia (Ticker) -- Uga VI, the University of Georgia's bulldog mascot, died Friday from congestive heart failure.

Uga VI, who would have turned 10 years old next month, was taken to his veterinarian in Savannah, Georgia on Friday night after experiencing heavy breathing, according to owner Frank W. Seiler.

"His heart just played out," Seiler said Saturday. "He suffered no pain and died peacefully."

According to Georgia's athletic department, Uga VI was the winningest mascot in the history of the Bulldogs' storied football program.

Georgia went 87-27 while capturing two Southeastern Conference championships and winning six bowl games during Uga VI's tenure, which began in 1999.

"He had a marvelous record," Seiler said. "He was a very strong and healthy dog. He was the biggest of all the dogs, and he had the biggest heart. It just played out."

"This is a very sad day for the entire Bulldog Nation," Georgia athletic director Damon Evans added in a statement. "Uga has always been such a strong figure associated with the University of Georgia nationwide. Uga VI was a damn good mascot and a damn good dog. He was an outstanding representative of our fine institution."