FOX Television recently aired an episode of Family Guy where a long-time character, Brian Griffin, was run over and killed by a speeding car of which the driver was never shown.

As viewers were expecting, his sidekick, Stewie Griffin tried to revive him by using his time machine to alter the past and save him. Unfortunately, Stewie had run out of the materials necessary for the machine to work.

To many viewers, Brian Griffin was the all-true “american Dog” and to them they didn’t want this act to last on the show. Very soon after, a petition was electronically sent around the world discussing this controversial issue. Over 50,000 people have signed the petition to bring back the character on the show, and it’s reached recognition to the point where it’s been on CNN news reports.

Sadly, it would seem McFarlane already had a replacement in mind. The name of the new dog is one that goes by the name of ‘Vinny’. Not to be confused with Vin Diesel, but the voice is actually played by Tony Sirico form “The Sopranos’.

To this day it is still unknown whether or not Seth McFarlane plans to keep Vinny as a new main character, but it is very possible nonetheless seeing as how depressing the episode really was (which made it feel permanent).

A reason why it could just be taken lightly thought is because many of the characters on the show have died and then been revived, so maybe there will soon be a series of episodes where it’s Stewie’s ‘Journey to repair the time machine’. Either way, Brian Griffin will surely be missed by many…for now.

UPDATE:  After an outcry of disappointment from fans around the world, Family Guy creator Seth McFarlane decided to bring Brian “back from the dead” in the Christmas episode aired in December.  We wonder if Brian is here to stay?