ATHENS, Ga. -- Channel 2 Action News sports director Chuck Dowdle has confirmed that beloved University of Georgia mascot, UGA VII, has died.

UGA VII died of a heart attack Thursday.

The seventh in the UGA line of Georgia mascots was first introduced as UGA VII in Aug. 2008.

According to GeorgiaDogs.com, the line of pure white English bulldogs has been owned by the Frank W. "Sonny" Seiler family of Savannah, Ga., since UGA I first graced the campus in 1956.

Members of the Seiler family introduced UGA VII last year during the pre-game ceremonies of the Bulldogs season opener against Georgia Southern.

UGA VI died in June 2008 after being the mascot for 9 years.