Though initially reported missing , the English bulldog that was the mascot for sports teams at Louisiana Tech University actually died of heatstroke , officials said Wednesday . The veterinarian that kept Tech XX said a now-fired employee left the dog outside on Sunday . `` Tech XX was a member of our immediate family and a daily part of our lives for the past four years , '' Patrick Sexton said in a statement . `` 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 . '' The university , in Ruston , said in a statement that since becoming the mascot in 2008 , Tech XX got superior care and a loving home from Sexton 's team . `` He will be remembered for being a fan favorite and a symbol of the spirit of Louisiana Tech , '' the university said . Originally the worker said he let the dog out to go to the bathroom and the dog went missing , Sexton said . Students and residents went looking for the canine . His predecessor , Tech XIX , was retired in 2007 because of health concerns after suffering heatstroke , the university said on its website .
At first , employee said dog went missing when the canine went outside . Then they found it in a field and called animal control to get help with finding owner. The worker has been fired , veterinarian Patrick Sexton said . Louisiana Tech says dog was a `` symbol of the spirit '' of the school .