La. Tech Mascot’s Death Covered Up

In a terrible and twisted turn of events, Louisiana Tech reported on its Facebook page on Wednesday that its live bulldog mascot that had been missing since Sunday, Tech XX, died of heat stroke and was apparently covered up by an employee at the Sexton Animal Health Center after he or she left the dog outside too long in 102-degree heat.

It was reported on Monday that Tech XX had been let out to go to the bathroom but disappeared when an employee of the clinic returned to let him back in. That was apparently a lie as the school posted a note from the mascot’s caretaker, Patrick Sexton, who also runs the animal health center that read in part:

Regretfully, I learned this morning that through negligence of an employee, Tech XX was left outside too long on Sunday evening and passed away from a heat stroke. That employee unfortunately chose to handle it the wrong way and attempted to cover it up. Due to this negligence, the employee is no longer employed by Sexton Animal Health Center.

My family, my staff and I are extremely upset at this tragic turn of events as I know the entire Louisiana Tech Family is as well. Tech XX was a member of our immediate family and a daily part of our lives for the past four years. We are devastated over the circumstances of his passing and there will be a large void in our hearts for some time to come. As with any family member, we will spend considerable time grieving his passing.

If you’ve ever owned a pet of any kind, you can only imagine the pain the Sexton family and entire Louisiana Tech community is feeling right now. The fact that the death was allegedly due to such extreme negligence and followed by a cover-up just makes this even more sickening.

We can only hope the Sexton family and school finds a fitting way to honor the late and loveable mascot.

[Louisiana Tech on Facebook]

4:12 PM on 8/1/2012

Kick

Dogs can be left out all day and not die from heat stroke. I think they should have an autopsy before they throw someone under the bus. If this dog was only 4 and he died from heat stroke I would say something was wrong with the dog because it doesnt make sense. Was the dog locked in a glass room with no ventilation? Was the dog locked in a car? What is the deal? I am calling BS until I hear more. If I were this employee I would sue if I felt I did nothing wrong. When does a dog sdie from being outside? Dogs live in many extreme conditions and they survive. I am not cold hearted when it comes to animals and I think this is horrible. I would like to know more.
- Frank
  
  Dude, in the South and in the Summer, are you KIDDING? Animals die all the time down here, we’re pushing 3 digit temperatures and with 90 percent plus humidity. You sit in the blazing sun like that for hours, and btw Google Dog Ventilation while you’re at it (all via mouth.) Not to mention wearing a fur coat. I ain’t new, either, having been born and raised in the South with dozens of dogs all my life, and working for Angels Among Us Pet Rescue, the largest rescuer of dogs from High Kill Shelters in the South. One of our biggest educational campaigns is that of Heat!
  - Jtja362
    
    i have pugs and with the nose so short the can’t cool down like a dog with a long nose , and yes they can go down from the heat . we don’t leave ours out side anymore then we have to, and they all have ice packs to lay on to help cool off.
  - sydney
    
    thank god at least there is a person who has a brain about animal care.
- Lovethosebulldogs
  
  Bulldogs (and most short nose breeds) are very intolerant of heat. They pant in normal temperatures and have little reserve to get rid of heat especially in hot Southern climates. It is even worse in the summer. We generally will not take our bulldog out in temps greater than 80-she is just miserable. I would hope that any employee with a basic knowledge of canines would make a better decision than to leave this type of dog out that long. I would compare it to the elderly and infants-you have to be more careful in the heat-same with bulldogs, boxers, pugs, etc.
- Mel
  
  Bulldogs are not meant to be outside dogs. As others have said, they do not tollerate the heat at all. I have two and sometimes a ten minute potty break can take an hour to cool down from. Even in the winter (the only time we go) we have to limit dog park time to no more than 30 minutes and monitor them at all times to see how they are doing. They should not just be let out in this kind of heat. They should be watched and brought back in as soon as business is done.
  - Nmatthews
    
    So true. It’s so sad to see someone trying to make a boxer an outside dog. We have an older Boxer and 10 to 15 minutes is all he can take. And mine is the same way it takes him about 30 to 40 minutes to recover. When he was young it did take less time for recovery and he could stay out a little longer but when I say a little longer I mean like 30 minutes max…
    - Nmatthews
      
      Sorry, I know this poor baby was an English bulldog. I have a boxer and I know from others that the English bulldog breed is even less tolerant of the heat and please let’s not forget the cold so I can only imagine that this poor boy would have had a worse time handling the heat than my boxer.
- krankydragon
  
  another uninformed ignoramus willing to spout his 2 cents on something he apparently knew nothing about.
- Andrade_paul
  
  don’t be a dumb a** and know the facts English Bulldogs don’t do well in the heat!!
- Gary Conrad
  
  How difficult was the third grade?
  - http://www.facebook.com/bo.mcelya Bo McElya
    
    Did he make it that far?
- http://www.facebook.com/bo.mcelya Bo McElya
  
  Kick, learn about the breed before shooting your mouth off. This breed CANNOT handle extreme heat for even an hour in a lot of instances. Inbreeding through the years has taken a lot from English bulldogs, unfortunately. Negligence? Absolutely. Shameful? Without a doubt.Intentional? Probably not.
  - Junebug7671
    
    love your reply!!! my comment about sooo many dumb people must be accurate.
- Chickenwittlebabe
  
  If the dog is a inside dog and is left outside for a great period of time is possible that it could die of a heat stroke..
- lastofthelitter
  
  You are an idiot.
- Cat-woman-57
  
  you’re an imbecile.!! you shouldn’t open yr mouth when you know nothing about this type of breed!!!
- guest
  
  Kick, as I said above in my response to your brother, Meac T, hopefully some day, someone will figure out how to IQ test posters before allowing them to post. You must have been locked in one of those “glass room” too long as a child. Your brain is obviously fried.
- Nmatthews
  
  Really? You’re calling BS on an employee and accusing that person of being “thrown under the bus”. I don’t think that the bus throwing is necessary. This individual employee not only was directly responsible for the death of an animal whose care she/he was supposed to have been responsible for but then covered it up. This person watched as those around her worried, stayed up goodness knows how many hours looking for this animal, took up how knows how much time making flyers, posting them, etc… and then either came clean or more likely got caught. Ever hear the old saying give someone enough rope and they will hang themself? Why would this employee not come clean but instead acted guilty? Because this person knew he/she had been negligent.
- http://www.facebook.com/cheryl.walsh.1466 Cheryl Walsh
  
  You obviously don’t know jack about bulldogs or you wouldn’t have humiliated yourself with your comments. I was a formerly a vet tech and all techs I associated with KNOW brachyocephalic (short nosed in layman’s terms) dogs have trouble with high heat and humidity. And the WORST breed for heat/humidity tolerance is bulldogs!! We live in the northeast and our bulldog is walked and brought back inside an air conditioned house. She doesn’t go out much during the heat of the summer because she can’t take it. These dogs can overheat in minutes even in the shade. That vet tech should have known better! And to hide it and lie about it only makes it worse. Do some breed research and you will understand what I’m talking about.
  - http://www.facebook.com/blooddogone L.k. Youngblood
    
    My rat terrier is pretty much the same way.
  - Lynnecatlover
    
    Did it say he was a vet tech ? Couldn’t he just have been the kennel boy ?
- LA
  
  Bulldogs have and will die of heat stroke – it has happen before and more than likely and an idiot leaves them in the heat it will happen again. I was a show once and a french bulldog went down in the ring – it was overheated. Any short nose face dog including chow chow, boxer, pugs, etc have to take care in the heat – they are not a sporting or hound dog like a husky or springer. I have been showing/breeding bulldogs over 20 years and have a Westminster Champion.
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Jake-C-Sysk-Jr/648982599 Jake C Sysk Jr.
  
  It is not uncommon for a bulldog in perfect health to have seizures or heatstroke within twenty minutes of high heat.(above 90%) Why talk about something you know nothing about?
- http://www.facebook.com/bo.mcelya Bo McElya
  
  Want to know more? then go back and read some of the previous posts and educate instead of medicate yourself.
- sydney
  
  whoa!!!! u better study about any animal in extreme heat. radio and tv announce continuously to take your pets in when temps hit 90 and up. humans get heatstroke in this weather and pets have fur coats on. omg the more i read, the more i realize how stupid sooooo many people are!
margaret

Pug-face dogs cannot cool themselves like dogs with a long snout. We have had it happen in our home which is in the south. You try to sit out all day in 102 temp.
Crofty

Having been a long time owner of English Bulldogs this is a sad thing to hear. Anyone that has spent time with these types of dogs knows they do not do well in any temperature much above 80 degrees for any extended amount of time. It is not uncommon for a bulldog in perfect health to have seizures or heatstroke within twenty minutes of high heat. They have such a unique personality and I am sure he will be missed.
Solomon

And this employee let them put up posters and go on a freaking search? Neglect AND fraud. Throw their a** in jail
- http://www.facebook.com/Lanhamhimer Christopher Lanham
  
  Well it is sad that also the guy was paid for a job, & or service & took pay he didn’t earn, & not only didn’t earn it, I think he owes them, big-time!
Dog Lover

So sorry to hear of Tech XX’s loss. The entire Louisiana Tech community has my deepest sympathy.
http://www.facebook.com/Lanhamhimer Christopher Lanham

That is terrible:( poor doggie!
Stubborn Bully

# of people who clicked this story because they’re La. Tech fans: 5
# of people who clicked thos story because they have/love bulldogs: 50000
- Katie
  
  You forgot to add # of people who clicked this story because they love dogs (or animals in general). I belong in that category.
  I hope that employee got fired and has to buy the school their next mascot!
  - Katie
    
    oops, just went back and read some of it again. And the employee WAS fired, so I don’t need any replies telling me to go and read it again But then again, was he informed that bulldogs can’t stand the heat for extended periods of time? I hope EVERY shelter/vet/kennel etc place now makes sure their employees are aware of this fact. This was a well-known dog. How many others have suffered and died from the heat that we haven’t heard about? My son has been wanting to get a bulldog for years. I’m gonna have to email him now and tell him about this so he knows. I never knew that-doubt that he does either.
    - 206+nba=harmony
      
      i dont really believe it would matter if the person responsible for Lt’s death didnt know about the dangers of heat stroke for that particular dog or not since,at least from what i gather from this article they covered it up at 1st.
    - Marie15
      
      Katie, it really doesn’t matter what the breed is, high temps can cause heat stroke. It will happen faster to short-nosed breeds is the only difference. The employee responsible should be charged with animal cruelty; ignorance is no excuse.
      - Dreamgir1
        
        its pretty much like how a heavy person has to becareful in the heat if they are exerting themselves. as well as people in general.
- Meac Templeton
  
  I just clicked on the story to find out what the mascot was. I was thinking someone in some sort of stupid outfit. Come to find out, just a dog.
  - Cat-woman-57
    
    that’s very mean. It wasn’t JUST A DOG. He was their friend too.!!!!!
  - Guest
    
    MT, apparently you know how to use a computer which indicates that any moron can. Somehow these sites should figure out how to test posters intelligence before allowing them to post.
    - Guest
      
      Well, you got on, so I guess no intelligence is required. I guess we need the thought police on this site, telling us what our morals should be. Get a sense of humor.
  - Twinsister9058
    
    EXCUSE ME…….how completely heartless…there is NO SUCH THING as “JUST A DOG”……….
  - charlie
    
    And what the F*** do you mean “it was only a dog” Your probable one of those losers who plays video games and drinks beer and are just “one of those people”
    We should have let people like you out in the heat for a while. Forget it stupid is too hard to fix. Please don’t have any animal and especially not children!!!!!
    
    Education is a wonderful thing – I now its a big word but look it up!
    - gman
      
      It was only a F&&^% dog pal. You’re probably one of those who gets their A$$ up @ 3 in th morning to walk that B%^^&*. Now that a LOSER!
    - Kmokaddem
      
      It’s not “I now its a big word” it’s “I know it’s a big word”. Sorry but if you’re going to preach education to someone you should be a little better educated yourself.
  - Terri
    
    You can join devilrider as a**es of the century.
  - gman
    
    My sentiments exactly.
- devilrider
  
  Who cares?
  - Terri
    
    You are a complete ass.
  - gmoney22
    
    My sentiments exactly.
  - Gbeadling
    
    hey gmoney22 and devilrider (really?)….i’d luv to take both of you p****** outside for a drink of water…..wadaya say???
- Jan
  
  I think the person that killed the dog should serve jail time, this is abuse and should be punished as such!!
Counselordawnyippee

We’ve owned and loved 2 English Bulldogs. When they died, because of their crazy/fun personalities,
it was such a tremendous loss…more than any other dog we’ve owned & lost. The heat issue is one
of their limitations. Many are sinkers not swimmers so pools without a fence are a big problem as well.
TECH XX have a blast in Dog Heaven & look for Bubba & Thor. Gods Comfort to theTECH family.
- Nmatthews
  
  Boxers tend to be sinkers too. My brother’s boxer can swim but you have to really watch him and my boxer likes to try to swim but we can’t let him go in by himself, someone has to stay close by and help him hold his back end up. Thanks for posting that fact because it is something that anyone who is dogsitting or taking care of a dog (particularly a bulldog) should be aware of.
Norm Miller

You’ll have to excuse me… I am of the mind to leave that employee outside in that kind of heat for 15 hours without water and watch him fry. what pissed me off even more is that this guy seemed to have been caring for animals for quite a while. how many others has he killed out of negligence?
SzyslakExperienc

Did this article mention a cover-up? Time for the NCAA to step in.
PJ

I didn’t know bulldogs were so intolerant to heat, so I’m glad to learn it. My scottie is fairly intolerant herself, but she has quite a big nose and plenty of air conditioning. My sympathies to the college and fans. Losing a beloved pet is horrible.
- LA
  
  As a bulldog show handler and breeder the two most dangerous things to these dogs is the head and water (they do not swim) so a pool is dangerous. Regardless – how does anyone leave any animal (dog or cat) outside in 102 degree weather ! That dog slowly cooked to death. Once their temp is above a certain degree, brain damage, heart damge occurs. All short nose breed dogs have a problem with the heat. My dogs are in A/c all summer and only left out to go to bathroom with me right there and then brought in. What the shame is they lied about it. Hopefully they will not be able to have a live mascot anymore.
  - Jacobtinsley1994
    
    Why shouldn’t they have a live mascot? LT’s death was due to negiligence on the part of an employee of the veterinary clinic that was in charge of taking care of LT. It was by no means La Tech’s fault that this happened. The blame rest solely on the employee who lied about the incident and has been fired.
MNpetfriend

This whole story (and the comments) just breaks my heart. Also FYI. All dogs not just short nosed breeds can die in extreme heat temps. Even up here in the midwest, we are cautious to not over expose our pets to the extremes including heat and the cold. I would like to smack anybody that neglects their pets.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=732809143 Tina Conte

Poor baby didn’t deserve to die. Somebody needs to be held responsible for his negligence! R.I.P. pup!
Systemofthematt

You wait for a dog to use the bathroom, not leave him out there…

IN TRIPLE DIGIT HEAT

Southerners…
- CommonSensefromtheSouth
  
  Um, hold it Buster. I’m from the South and I know damn well you’re not supposed to leave your dog outside in the heat. Our Lab is the only full-time outside dog we have, but she can get under the house where it’s cool, and she also has a kiddy pool full of water she can lay in. It’s actually only the rare idiot or the sadly not uncommon person who doesn’t care for animals that leave their pets outside in the heat.
  
  Anyways…
  
  I see people mentioning pugs, bulldogs, and boxers, but don’t forget Boston Terriers. They’re not much for heat either. My grandparents have an elderly one and he pants like crazy when he comes in from outside. Not so much in winter, spring, and fall, but during the summer we really have to watch him.
  
  Even my own dog (a red border collie) isn’t allowed to stay outside all day during summer, and that’s with us shaving her fur down regularly so she’s not caring all that extra insulation.
  - http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZIWI4S5BVZH33DOA5RLKKUNJQY Maryshap
    
    commonsense from the south: that’s an oxymoron.
    - Lynnecatlover
      
      Where do you live beatch ?????
    - http://www.facebook.com/bo.mcelya Bo McElya
      
      and you lady (term used at its loosest extreme) are probably big and ugly as an ox and a complete moron!
  - Marie15
    
    CommonSense…….something I didn’t know, and you might be interested. A few years ago we had a Chow, and you know how hairy those guys are. Anyway, one year we took a trip and left our dog with relatives in West Texas. She came home infested with ticks, and that was back in the day before all the great meds they have now. I think there was a real toxic dip and we tried it. Not very good results. The vet said she just had too much hair for the dip to cut thru so we ended up having her shaved, but he cautioned us then that she had to be kept indoors all summer, except to go out for just a minute a few times a day to do her business. He said that hair removal is counter-productive because ironically, all that hair actually insulates them from heat and prevents sunburn. We always kept her in during summers anyway, as we are in South Central Texas – very hot and humid, so without her hair, staying indoors was critical. Of course she loved that. It was during those rare cold snaps during winter we could not hardly get her to come inside. She would just lay out in the backyard, face the howling wind and totally bask in it. RIP Lady.
  - Sdickey
    
    Actually you shouldn’t shave your dog. Ask you vet but i read that it’s worse on them to shave their fur. It has some sort of ‘insulator’ in it that helps out with the heat and when you shave the fur it makes it worse on them. Please check that out. I would hate for you to be unknowingly harming your dog.
  - Lynnecatlover
    
    Dogs perspire from their tounges and their paws.
- Tlc0063
  
  Not all Southerners! I watch my dog carefully when we are outside in the FL heat (even in winter when it is “cold”–or at least less hot!). She always has access to water, and I take her back inside if she starts to get overheated.
  
  It is a real shame about this dog–I hope the person who did this to him gets the punishment that he deserves.
  - pacrt
    
    sorry to say, a “dog” is still only property….courts do not see it any other
    way……but …community work would be good…as to …clean up after
    pets for a few months?
    - Terri
      
      A dog may have an owner, but it is not property.
    - Lynnecatlover
      
      Nope, some states have animal cruelty statutes on the books. I beleive it’s $1000 and a year in jail. Vick served 23 months because he injured 48 dogs.
- Twinsister9058
  
  Really…… anyone should KNOW that humans and dogs and any living creature can’t stand to be outside in that kind of heat for HOURS….
  The entire matter is heart-breaking….but to let them print posters and look for this precious dog when you KNOW theya ren’t going to find him…that’s criminal!
  - Petlover
    
    Not making excuses for the dog’s care provider at all–he should have been aware of a bulldogs special needs if he was in charge of the dog but, having bulldogs myself–they absolutely canNOT stand the heat. It doesn’t take but a very few minutes outside for a bulldog to become overheated. Our other dogs can take a little more time outdoors in the heat, even enjoy it, but bullies are definitely fair weather dogs. We’ve been outside with our bulldogs and found ourselves having to cool an overheated dog down quickly with a shower of cool water or an icebath. My bullie’s favorite thing to do in the summer is to lay on a bed of ice. I even have pictures of him doing so. So sorry for the colleges lost. Bulldogs have a personality that outshines any other breed of dog we’ve ever owned.
- Ripped
  
  you are a moron. southerners….yep, I guess that DOES make you a stupid yankee POS. Buy a rat you dope.
- http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZIWI4S5BVZH33DOA5RLKKUNJQY Maryshap
  
  System: More often than not Southerners treat their pets badly. Leaving them outside 24/7.
  - Stricklandj20
    
    All you people disgust me who blurt out regional degradations on others. I assume Southerners are the ones who shoot up movie theathers and religious sites, as do those from the glorified midwest. It would seem to me that someone who makes ignorant statements like these also perfer not only to divide people up by regions, but also by race, color, creed, religion, etc. How ignorant to judge someone based on the stated as to judge them by where there house is located demographly on a map. Do us all a favor, get a job and do not make public statements.
- http://www.facebook.com/bo.mcelya Bo McElya
  
  What do you mean by Southerners…? Sounds like you need to meet my system of the mat, but we did away with the mat and now it’s just the floor that your punkin head hits after the first swing!
- Tdbraswell
  
  I guess being a dumba$$ yankme make you all the more enlightened than us poor southern folk.
TimMcDonald

Meanwhile, human beings are cruelly mistreated and nobody cared…
- Guest
  
  Given some of the idiotic comments on this forum, why are you surprised?
Debra8827958

Have you ever noticed that people who say ( IT WAS JUST A ……. ), don’t care about animals. I have come to think that people like that are so self-centered . For the person who said it was just a dog . I guess what M.Vick did to those peoples pets was o.k. to him also. SHAME ON YOU. SHAME ON YOU . YOU HAVE NO HEART. Are you the one who left him outside and didn’t care about the heat he was suffering in while he was dieing ? Did you say, NO. Oh just the same attitude as the person who left him out there.
- Guest
  
  Yes, it is bad, but comparing a negligent accident to dog fighting is also reprehensible. “SHAME ON YOU. SHAME ON YOU. YOU HAVE NO HEART.” I guess caps makes you feel more smug about your self imposed higher morals.
Rudydoo

WHAT A LOW LIFE INDIVIDUAL THAT IS WHO DID THAT!!!!!! Little animals need our help with lots of things. One of them is exercising common sense DUMB BUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nmatthews

Horrible that such a beautiful dog had to die in such a way. Anyone with any kind of common sense and who “takes care of” animals should know that in the deep South especially as well as any other area/time of year where ever you are you cannot leave an animal out in that kind of heat. We have a 11 year old boxer bulldog and two very young black and tan coonhounds. The longest, repeat, longest, period that I will leave the hound dogs outside during the type of weather we’ve been having is 30 minutes tops, and that’s in the early morning, late afternoon. The boxer bulldog gets five minutes on his own before I start looking and calling for him and usually he doesn’t even get that out alone. I usually accompany him in this type of weather even if it’s just for a minute or two. All bulldog breeds and breeds with short noses are very, very susceptible to heat stroke. This is just so devestating.
- Lynnecatlover
  
  BEAUTIFUL ?????? maybe you could stretch it to CUTE…..
Nmatthews

Um…. yes we do care but this is a horrible story about someone’s beloved pet and a college’s beloved mascot so that’s why all of the caring about this poor boy. Usually when people care about animals they also care about people and vice versa. No need to turn a sad even into some sort of statement. It’s call relevancy.
- Nmatthews
  
  Sorry, that was meant to be in response to the guy/girl who posted that meanwhile humans are being abused and suffering and no one cared.
  - james
    
    they never work the dog out right he was more fat then muscle to many tailgates. give the guy his job back it was going to happen anyway better there then in front of thousand of fans i,ll miss him to
    - Linda-belle
      
      Dog are wonderful. They are always your best friend. They are smart, loyal and loving. In so many ways they become our children and a deep love exists. They are truly wonderful beings. I hope Tech was not living at this clinic and that he had a home. Maybe that was explained and I missed it. This is a sad situation in that he suffered before he died and no one was tending to his needs. Poor fella.
22BLAST

Covering up a crime (cruelty to animals) because of a culture that puts a football mascot over the welfare of a normal household pet, should be punished to the fullest extent. Had this been your pet I’m sure the incident would have been reported in a timely fashion before others became involved and the media was alerted. The NCAA should step forward and take measures to change that mindset immediately.
Lcksav

Anyone familiar with the breed knows that bulldogs cannot take the high temperatures of summer in the south! What an idiot!
Diane

I think this employee should be prosecuted not just fired. This was a crime. If this happened to a human there would be more than firing consequences for this individual.
22BLAST

Should the NCAA get involved with sanctions to correct a culture that encorages the cover-up of an act of animal cruelty/negligence simply because of the association of the animal with a football program?
Laisezmoienpaix

So very,very sorry.Bless his heart. Don’t be so quick to condemn. Mistakes do happen,usually through distraction as we have seen with babies inadvertently left in cars by loving parents. It should be a wake up call to us all to slow down. I hate myself often for a near miss that fortunately I catch. Again my sincere regrets and be aware.
Choppegirl48

Idiots!!!!! How can people be so careless especially someone at an animal clinic. There have been warnings posted for months now about the excessive heat and what it can do to people and animals!!!!!
May No Act of Ours Bring Shame

I believe a four-year bowl ban, loss of scholarship players, and a fine of one-year football program revenue is in order.
- Sassygrl1023
  
  It isn’t the school’s fault. Just a neglectful employee of one of the local veterinary clinics. I live in this town. And trust me when I say…. this entire city is heartbroken over the loss of LT. He has been a fan favorite since 2008. Taking pics with him was one of the things that LaTech fans & students looked forward to the most. The staff, students and supportive community are all going to miss him very much.
  - Oldphart667
    
    Still a cover up! Where is the NCAA!
    - Yaleh49
      
      Someone needs to cover your old @$$ up!
22BLAST

Sad.
Harmonydove

Just heartbreaking for animal lovers. Short nosed and flat-faced dogs and cats are very susceptible to heat. Please remember that dogs, cats, like humans, need water and air-conditioning and water and heat …during ANY extreme weather. I know my dog loves to go for a “RIDE”, but I don’t take her when the weather is too hot or too cold…just treat your animals like you would a baby…if you know how to care for an infant! So sad all the deaths related to extreme weather!
Wingso28

No animal can stand the heat where are the brains n when you take your pet to run around the park bring water ,tired of seeing the poor animals with their tongues hanging out.In my opinion every estabishment should have in front of the entrance DONT FOR YOUR CHILDREN or PETS IN THE CAR…or you will be incarncarated.
gman

Its just a &^%$#@ dog. who cares?
- http://profile.yahoo.com/FB5UXKDDXQB35L7QPJ2I7SO5VQ Denise
  
  We heard you the first time, jerk.
- Guest
  
  That’s what they will say at your funeral!
- 1ripsluggo1
  
  Either u have never own a dog or took care of it the way one should or you dont care about much other than your self u are a very sad human
gman

It’s just a&^%$#@ dog. Who cares? There are PEOPLE dying everywhere, thats whats important, not some %^&$#@ mascot.
- http://www.facebook.com/bo.mcelya Bo McElya
  
  it’s a shame you’re not on the list of the dying.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Rich-Mcglone/613028025 Rich Mcglone

sad
Kdspecht

my sister had the same breed which also died when left out too long without water in Tucson
- 1ripsluggo1
  
  my heart gos out 2 you and your family
Guest

Dr. Sexton should take some responsibility in the death of the Tech Mascot. It was HIS clinic and HIS employee. I know from past experience that his work is questionable and while I have no doubt that he and his family are suffering in this loss I do believe that there should have been more responsibility taken on his part. HOPEFULLY he won’t be the caretaker for the new mascot!
http://www.facebook.com/blooddogone L.k. Youngblood

There is such a thing as a leash law. That means you get your ass out there with your pet and don’t leave them. The leash I would guess; makes it so for you and your pets safety.
http://www.facebook.com/blooddogone L.k. Youngblood

There is such a thing as the leash law. That means get your ass out with your pet, and don’t leave unattended. Gee, maybe that’s why we have the leash law, ( Daaa, ya think.)
Friscoal

Is anyone aware of the fact that the entire South is chock full of homeless people. I’m wondering how many of you keep them inside your homes and take them outside only to go to the bathroom and wait there till they are finished so you can take them …..! Ah the heck with it. You probably don’t understand.
- Guest
  
  Just as many as I lock outside in no shade with triple-digit heat and 90% humidity. None.
  
  The difference is the homeless person isn’t trapped there, but the dog is.
- 1ripsluggo1
  
  just bcause people have dogs, you think they should get rid of them and take in homless people instead! There r places 4 the homless and kitchens too. can u really expect people to take homeless people in to their homes with the fact that most families have children. Many homeless people have many problems. Most families are not able to treat their problems and move a complete stranger into a family with children
Mgahagan5

It will never cease to amaze me at how people will make fun of a sad situation stating that it’s only an animal or who cares if it’s only LA Tech but then one day, it happens to them. The question remains of why do you feel the need to comment and try, (TRY) to be smart?
JK138

A mascot is important to alot of people, takening the best care of that dog was important. The care giver did a thoughtless move and then to cover it up with a lie, I wouldn’t want to have a worker that would lie to me working for me,Makeing a thouhtless move that takes a human life is so big that being fired is the just the start of what that person would face. I go out with my dogs when they go out to pottie, they love me to play with them and its fun for me too.
Guest

Dr. Sexton should be held responsible for this. He was negligent in allowing this frequent un-monitored exercising of the dog in a parking lot no less. He sets the example for his employees. Former and current employees (me being one or the other) can enlighten the public on this situation and events leading up to it. It was an “accident” waiting to happen. Dr. Sexton should suffer the consequences, not just put all the blame on the employee who has taken all the blame.
Dont get the wrong idea that I am that fired employee because I am not. I just want the record straight and place blame where blame is due.
dogs rule

i would save that dog berfore most of the people that left comments
moleman

Why are we suprised about a cover-up? If I’m not mistaked, cover-up is a requied course at all SEC schools!
- Yaleh49
  
  Not In the SEC DUMB@$$ in the WAC
1ripsluggo1

This is such sad news, as I have also just experienced the same with my beloved bull dog. An older family member let my bull dog out into a fenced in area even though well shaded- that family member fell asleep and the neighbor kids ran and played with him and he overheated, it began to thunder outside so i wenthome to comfort him (as he is frightened by storms) only to find out the circumstances. he was by a tree ,thought i might still b able to save him, so i put him in shower and gave him cpr. He didnt make it. Its been a week now, but its still hard to accept hes gone and the way he died . It sad when any dog gos through such suffering.
22BLAST

@ moleman….Just so you know, you are in fact “mistaked”. The latest cover-up’s are associated with the BIG-10 (Penn State) and now the WAC (La Tech). It’s championships that are required “courses” in the SEC.
Guest

Someone better call the NCAA, maybe they can sanction this school as well.
Scott Dykes

My sympathy to TECH XX, LA TECH, & Vets. Having just lost one of my bulldogs in June due to somone giving him rat poison, I know the pain. It get’s better. Be strong.
MSU DAWG
Lynnecatlover

What about replacing him with a new pup ???
http://profile.yahoo.com/72IDGLUJUUGBCWF2N7GFMFAKYU John

Poor dog. That person should be arrested.
Lshantz

This is why everyone can’t be in charge of bulldogs! They can’t be out in that kind of heat for more than a couple minutes! I say..leave the person outside to rot away in the sun
Michigan

It is hard to believe the stupidity of that employee or the people of the animal “health” center that hired him/her and neglected to give proper training to the ignoramus. As an English Bulldog owner, anyone with the least contact with these loving and gentle dogs knows they can have trouble breathing in extreme conditions. Any dog left outside in 102 degree heat would have problems -but the English Bulls more likely. Like the stupid people who leave their pets (or sometimes their children) in parked cars while they shop. Also- don’t take your English Bull swimming even in shallow water- they are chest heavy and cannot keep their heads above water and swim like other dogs may be able to and will likely sink and drown.

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