PETA Implores Georgia to Use 'Robot Bulldog' for Next Mascot

A recent FanHouse post on the tragic (albeit peaceful!) death of Uga VII inspired some emotional responses from the passionate readership. So I'm pretty excited to find out what folks think about the latest news regarding the Georgia Bulldogs mascot.

PETA, the ever-popular, never-annoying animal rights activists, want an animatronic bulldog to take the place of the real live bulldog. Yeah, I know. I wish I was kidding too.

Via the Atlanta Journal Constitution:

In the wake of the untimely death of the University of Georgia's (UGA) bulldog mascot, Uga VII, PETA has asked the school's athletic director, Damon M. Evans, to replace the mascot with an animatronic dog--or to rely solely on a costumed mascot--instead of using another real bulldog. Bulldogs are prone to breathing difficulties, hip dysplasia, heart disorders, and other congenital ailments, and acquiring a dog from a breeder perpetuates the animal overpopulation crisis while causing another dog waiting in an animal shelter to be condemned to death.

"It is time for the university to put an end to the cycle of suffering endured by dogs who are brought into the world solely to represent the school's 'brand'," says PETA Assistant Director Kristie Phelps. "By choosing a humane alternative to the use of live animals as school mascots, UGA can show that compassion always wins."

Alternately, by ignoring PETA, Georgia and Evans can help put an end to the cycle of suffering endured by the millions of people who are forced to listen to organization's silly ideas, simply because they need to show donors that they're putting their money to good use.

Or, perhaps Uga and the athletic director can provide us with another awesomely embarrassing PETA back peddle when no one takes it seriously. (This is the same outfit that has a history of proposing ridiculous ideas -- they wanted the band Phish to change their name to the 'Sea Kittens' and compared Manu Ginobili to Michael Vick because he beat up a bat.)

Hopefully, this resolves itself soon so we can get back to important matters of science. Like proving that Peyton Manning is a witch.