Senate Bill 410, a bill that would make the English bulldog—mascot of the University of Georgia (UGA)—as the official state dog is currently being proposed to Georgia legislators.
This legislation follows behind the proposal of House Bill 561, a bill that seeks to promote animal adoption and rescue through making “the adoptable dog” the official state dog.
SB 410 is cosponsored by numerous senators, including UGA alumni Bill Cowsert (R-46) and Frank Ginn (R-47). In an article covering the two pieces of legislation, Jim Thompson of the Athens-Banner Herald quotes Ginn as saying “Anytime somebody sticks a bill in front of me to make the bulldog the official state dog, I’m all over it”.
Along with the lighthearted collegiate support of the English bulldog, Ginn has stated that he fully supports the larger aims of HB 561. ”I do want to try to help the animal shelters,” Ginn said. “I don’t want anything to jeopardize that.”
After earning unanimous approval in the House, HB 561 is now in the Senate—both bills are in the Senate’s Government Oversight Committee.