University of Georgia Bulldogs mascot UGA dies

ATHENS, Ga. – University of Georgia officials say UGA VIII, the school's bulldog mascot, has died after suffering from lymphoma.

Georgia senior associate athletic director Claude Felton says the mascot died Friday morning. He said there is no formal funeral service scheduled at this time.

The white English bulldog was diagnosed with lymphoma in early January, but the school said he had been responding well to treatment. The dog took over as the team's mascot for Georgia's Oct. 16 game against Vanderbilt.

Felton says Russ, a bulldog who filled in as mascot in 2009 and early in 2010, would again step in as the school's mascot.