In a bizarre twist, worried and anxious Louisiana Tech University students, faculty and supporters learned Wednesday the college’s beloved bulldog mascot Tech XX was dead – and had been for days. 
 
 The 4-year-old English bulldog apparently died of heat stroke on Sunday after an animal clinic worker left him outside too long, said Patrick Sexton, a Ruston veterinarian and owner of Sexton Animal Health Center. The worker covered up the death – allowing dozens to search for the dog and post rewards for Tech XX’s return – until he finally told Sexton Wednesday morning, Sexton said. 
 
 “That employee unfortunately chose to handle it the wrong way and attempted to cover it up,” Sexton said. “Due to this negligence, the employee is no longer employed by Sexton Animal Health Center.” 
 
 Sexton and his family kept the dog at their home and cared for him since he was named university mascot in 2008. 
 
 “Tech XX was a member of our immediate family and a daily part of our lives for the past four years,” Sexton said. “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 burly bulldog loved all the creature comforts of air conditioning and cozying up to fans in their best Bulldog blue. 
 
 Dave Guerin, spokesman for the university, said the Bulldog nation will grieve the loss of the dog and pray for the Sexton family who cared for him. 
 
 “We lost our symbol and our beloved mascot, but the Sexton’s lost a member of their family,” he said. “We’re grateful of how the wonderful life and care they were able to give him the last four years.” 
 
 While the care of each university mascot is traditionally entrusted to university alumni, Tech XX was owned by the school’s Student Government Association. 
 
 “It’s extremely disappointing and sad news this happened to our beloved Tech XX,” said SGA President Will Dearmon. “Tech XX was an emblem that not only touched athletic groups, Greek organizations, religious organizations, service groups or even students who were here solely for academics, but anyone he came in contact with. Everyone knew his importance and what he meant to the university.” 
 
 Dearmon said students still are coping with the turn of events which took the life of the beloved pooch, and no plans have been made of what’s in store for a new live mascot. 
 
 “We’ll work through that in the coming days and there will be a Tech XXI, but right now our hearts are broken,” he said. 

 Three days after Sexton Animal Health Center put out an APB for Louisiana Tech's English bulldog mascot, Tech XX, the center and university issued a statement that the 4-year-old bulldog had died thanks to negligence by a now-former employee. 
 
 According to Dr. Patrick Sexton, who has cared for the dog since 2008, an employee let the dog out to relieve himself and failed to let him back in. By the time the employee remembered to check on Tech XX, the dog had died of heat stroke. 
 
 The temperature in Ruston, La., on Sunday reached a high of 102 degrees. 
 
 The Louisiana Tech athletic department spoke to the incident on its Facebook page. 
 
 Early Wednesday afternoon, Louisiana Tech University learned of the passing of Tech XX through the following communication from Dr. Patrick Sexton. 
 
 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. Patrick R. Sexton, DVM 
 
 According to bulldogsworld.com, Bulldogs are especially susceptible to heat stroke - even in 75-80-degree weather - because of their shorter breathing systems. 
 
 This is a sad and unthinkable end to what many assumed was a possible dognapping. Sexton even issued a $1,000 reward that was bumped up to $2,000 when he feared the dog might have been taken. 
 
 Louisiana Tech issued a statement saying it was saddened by the news, but that it didn't hold Sexton responsible for his employee's actions. 
 
 "Louisiana Tech University was saddened to learn of Tech XX's passing this past Sunday evening. He will be remembered for being a fan favorite and a symbol of the spirit of Louisiana Tech. Since becoming our official mascot in 2008, Tech XX received superior care and a loving home from Dr. Patrick Sexton and, despite the unfortunate circumstances of the past few days, we are grateful for all he and his family have done for our beloved mascot. Tech XX was a cherished member of the Louisiana Tech Family and, together, we will all grieve his passing." 
 
 
 
 In case you're wondering, the employee was fired as soon as the truth came to light. 
 
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– Louisiana Tech fans suffered anxiety and then heartbreak because of a negligent animal care worker who left their beloved mascot outside in 100-degree heat. The English bulldog, Tech XX, died of heat stroke, but the worker covered up the death, telling people that the dog had gone missing, reports the Shreveport Times. Over the following days, rewards were posted and dozens of people searched for the dog before the worker confessed. Not surprisingly, he no longer has a job. The four-year-old bulldog, who had been the team's mascot since 2008, lived with the family of veterinarian Patrick Sexton. "We lost our symbol and our beloved mascot, but the Sextons lost a member of their family," said a spokesman for the university. "We’re grateful for the wonderful life and care they were able to give him the last four years." Because of their build, bulldogs are susceptible to heat stroke even in temperatures of 75 to 80 degrees, Yahoo Sports notes. Tech's predecessor, Tech IX, was retired after suffering heat stroke, though he survived.