(Savannah, GA) -- The University of Georgia is in the doghouse with the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals.

PETA has asked the school to replace its mascot, a bulldog, with a dog-like robot.

Uga the Seventh died last week of heart attack.

The organization asked the school to replace the deceased bulldog with an animatronic one, or with a person in a costume.

In a letter to Georgia Athletics Director Damon Evans, PETA said purebred bulldogs are prone to respiratory problems and subjecting the mascot to hot and humid conditions isn't healthy for the animals.

The tradition of having a live bulldog mascot at Georgia games started in 1956.

The most recent Uga was the official mascot for about two years, the shortest tenure in the run.

　

(Copyright 2009 by VERTEXNews/Newsroom Solutions)