After the University of Georgia won its second straight national championship, PETA called attention to the school’s use of a live bulldog for a mascot.
The group claimed last month that the school’s use of Uga “increases demand for breathing-impaired breeds (BIBs),” such as pugs, boxers and English and French bulldogs.
The animal rights group called on the school to stop using Uga and be “a winner not only in football but also in the treatment” of animals.
Two former Bulldog players have come back to PETA and defended the use of Uga.
“I don’t think people know how good a life Uga lives,” former player Tavarres King told TMZ Sports. “That dog is a darling, bro. Chill out, PETA.”
Former running back prospect Knowshon Moreno echoed King’s comments.
“You’ll get rid of a lot of traditions,” he said. “I feel like these pets are living the best life. … Uga lived life.”
Uga might get better treatment on road trips than players, King said.
“Even away games, you get on the plane. Uga is the first seat on the plane. … Uga is very well treated,” he added.
PETA wrote that using a live mascot is “outdated”.
“As the back-to-back national champions, can’t UGA find it in its heart to honestly examine the impact of promoting disfigured dogs and spend time on its antiquated live animal mascot program?” PETA executive vice president Tracy Reiman said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital last month. “PETA is calling on (University of Georgia president) Jere Morehead to go peach and replace poor Uga with a human mascot who can support the team in a winning way.
“PETA — whose slogan says, in part, that ‘animals are not ours for entertainment’ and opposes speciesism, a human supremacy worldview — notes that Uga is a living being, not a toy to be brought chaotically. football stadiums across the country and we jumped in front of a lot of screaming fans.”
Despite the organization’s multiple appeals, it doesn’t look like there will be a change.
“We are proud of our beloved mascot and grateful for the exceptional care provided by Uga’s dedicated owners, the Seiler family,” Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks said in a statement last month to Fox News Digital.
There have been 10 “Ugas” since the mascot was first introduced in 1956, each a descendant of the original Uga.
