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FILE - In this Aug.. 30, 2008, file photo, Georgia mascot UGA VII sits on the sideline during the fourth quarter of an NCAAA college football game against Georgia Southern in Athens, Ga. Uga VII died on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009. A cause of death for the pure white English bulldog was not immediately known and several Atlanta media organizations reported the death. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
ATHENS, Ga. -- Uga VII, the popular University of Georgia mascot, died unexpectedly Thursday morning in his Savannah hometown at age 4.
Owner Frank "Sonny" Seiler said the English bulldog died of heart-related causes. Uga VII made his debut at the start of last season and watched the Bulldogs go 16-7, which represents the shortest stint in the family.
"We are all in a state of shock," Seiler said. "We had no warning whatsoever."
Georgia will not have a live mascot for Saturday night's game against visiting Kentucky, but a wreath will be placed on Uga VII's doghouse on the north sideline. Seiler said there were options available for the successor but that no determination would be made until sometime next year.
"He was 10-3 last year, which is not bad for a freshman," Seiler said. "Uga VII was not as active or mischievous as his father but more distinguished. He realized his role when he put his shirt on."
David Paschall is a sports writer for the Times Free Press. He started at the Chattanooga Free Press in 1990 and was part of the Times Free Press when the paper started in 1999. David covers University of Georgia football, as well as SEC football recruiting, SEC basketball, Chattanooga Lookouts baseball and other sports stories. He is a Chattanooga native and graduate of the Baylor School and Auburn University. David has received numerous honors for ...
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