ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA/CNN) -
A college mascot reported missing over the weekend was actually never missing at all.
Mascot Tech XX died from heatstroke and one of his caretakers says someone knew and tried to cover it up.
"It is preventable. So, let's prevent it from ever happening again," said animal activist Pam Miller.
The English bulldog served as the live mascot for Louisiana Tech University in Ruston.
A school spokesman sent out an e-mail with a message from this man, Patrick Sexton, one of the dog's main caretakers.
Sexton says one his former workers at the Sexton Animal Clinic about 4 miles away from campus, left "Tech XX" out in the blazing heat too long this past Sunday.
The bulldog then died of a heat stroke, and the former worker tried to cover it up.
"With a bulldog, you can't miss the drooling, they're a wet mouth dog anyway, the large tongue, the heavy panting," said Miller.
The bulldog was first reported missing back on Sunday afternoon, after Tech XX allegedly went on a potty break.
There were dozens of volunteers searching for the dog, and a $2,000 reward was offered for his safe return.
Students are now in the process of planning a memorial service.
Copyright 2012 WGCL-TV (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved. CNN contributed to this report.
