Possibly the stupidest thing I've ever read..

From onlineathens.com--

Robot dog as university mascot?

UGA draws PETA protest

By Lee Shearer - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published Wednesday, November 25, 2009
An animal rights organization has asked the University of Georgia to quit using a live bulldog as the school's athletic mascot.
Instead, PETA suggests, the Bulldogs could use a robot dog or costumed mascot, like Hairy Dawg or inflatable Spike, to represent the university's football and other sports teams.

PETA, formerly known as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, says using live bulldogs perpetuates dog health problems - like the heart ailment that apparently killed Uga VII last week at the age of 4.

PETA's Nov. 20 letter to UGA Athletic Director Damon Evans is the second one the group has addressed to UGA officials asking them to stop using live bulldogs.

Last year, when Uga VI died - also of heart problems - PETA wrote athletic officials to ask that the next Uga come from an animal shelter or rescue, and that he be neutered.
Bulldogs are prone to breathing difficulties, hip dysplasia heart disorders and other chronic health problems, noted Desiree Acholla, PETA's animals in entertainment specialist.

Bulldogs, like other dogs, like to run and play, but the very act of playing can be dangerous for the breed because the dogs struggle to breathe, Acholla said in last week's letter to Evans.

The Uga line of English bulldogs are family pets for Sonny and Cecilia Seiler of Savannah, who have shared the dogs with the Bulldog Nation since 1956.

The family said last week it would find a substitute Uga for this weekend's Georgia Tech football game, and for a possible bowl game, then pick a new bulldog to carry on the tradition sometime next year.

Bulldogs are prone to breathing and heart problems because of the mashed-in faces they've been bred to have, Acholla said in the letter. They also suffer from high rates of eye problems, skin problems and hip dysplasia because of the way they've been bred to look - with jowly faces, big heads, stubby legs and thick bodies.

Because of their peculiar body shape, bulldogs are bred by artificial insemination, and their births are by Caesarian section, she said.

Evans did not return a telephone call seeking comment.

UGA did respond to PETA, however - an e-mail from David Muia, a special assistant to UGA Athletic Director Damon Evans.
\"You make good points that deserve our consideration,\" wrote Muia, but he promised no specific actions other than sharing the letter with the Seilers and talking it over with Evans and other athletic officials.

Swann Seiler, daughter of Sonny and Cecilia, said the family would have no comment on PETA's letter.

PETA opposes all dog breeding, which the organization says contributes to pet overpopulation as well as chronic health problems for dogs.

\"We just don't want to see this cycle of congenital health defects and other hereditary problems associated with inbreeding simply to create a brand for the university,\" Acholla said. \"If Ugas are being created for a specific image, this can only be done through generations of inbreeding.\"

UGA is better taken care of than I am......ridiculous.

I agree this is ridiculous but I also have a problem with UGA having to be all white, all white dogs are known to have serious health issues.

I dont see the big deal with a little black on its belly or on his paws, I understand tradition and all that but I would rather have an UGA that could last 8-10 years rather than 4-5.

ugaa, I believe with the exception of Uga VII, all of them have lived pretty close to 10 years, if not more.

Certainly don't want to look like MSU's bulldog.

UGA is white......tradition.....THE most recognizable mascot in the country......NEVER change UGA, he's (or she) white and should ALWAYS be white. (just my opinion though)

THE BEST !!

The only specific health issue I am aware of for white dogs is called White Dog Shaker Syndrome. This is typically found in small breeds, particularly Maltese. The dogs have a nervous looking tremor or shakes. It can be easily treated with some type of steriod.

As long as a white color is a naturally color produced within a breed there should not be any other health issues related. Possible sunburn and/or allergies are the only other common ailments which can both be easily prevented.

I've worked in the pet industry for almost 8 years now and have had encounters with PETA myself. They only produce facts that are the ugly side of whatever it is they are hot on at the time. They tend to make minor things sound worse than they really are and will go to extremes to prove a point. Perfect example is how they state that the tradition of UGA can only be accomplished through inbreeding. Absolutley absurd! I have an all white English Bulldog and get asked all the time if he is from the UGA line. He is not and has no ties, but could pass for a UGA anyday of the week.

PETA does not see or produce facts from the side of the Seiler's in which these are not just a mascot for a school, but part of a family. A member of family with the best healthcare and accomodations any member of PETA would be happy to have for themselves.

Indeed the stupidest thing I have ever read as well!