Governor Bill Lee has signed into law a new bill that designates the bluetick coonhound as Tennessee’s official state dog.

The bill introduced by Rep. Bill Beck would make the hound a state symbol. It passed the House and the Senate unanimously.

The Bluetick Coonhound has been an East Tennessee staple, as the University of Tennessee Volunteers’ mascot, but now it stands an even greater chance to win over the hearts of all Tennesseans.