Animals

Yale’s dog mascot, Handsome Dan XVII, has died

The English bulldog passed away Thursday.

https://twitter.com/Yale/status/764433533280452608

Yale University’s mascot of nearly a decade passed away this past Thursday, according to Yale University Athletics.

Handsome Dan XVII, otherwise known as Sherman, died in Quonochontaug, Rhode Island, likely due to a heart attack, reports Yale Athletics. Sherman, an English bulldog, had been the school’s mascot since 2007 and was only 9 years old when he passed away.

During his time as a mascot, Sherman met former presidents George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter, as well as Sir Paul McCartney. He was also appointed a midshipman by the U.S. Naval Reserve and was the Chairman of the Board of Canine Cognitive Behavior Studies Center. (Really.)

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Sherman’s caretaker Chris Getman told Yale Athletics, “He loved his job, was very enthusiastic, and brought joy to a lot of people.”

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