Wild Thang, an 8-year-old Pekingese and his proprietor, Anne Lewis, are on stage after being annouced because the winner throughout the 2024 World’s Ugliest Canine Contest on the Sonoma-Marin Truthful in Petaluma, Calif. on Friday. Picture by John G. Mabanglo EPA-EFE
June 22 (UPI) — A longtime runner-up in California’s World’s Ugliest Canine Contest lastly obtained his crown.
On Friday, fourth time was the appeal for Wild Thang, an 8-year-old Pekingese from North Bend, Oreg., who previously placed second within the annual competitors 3 times earlier than.
Wild Thang is a survivor of distempter, a viral illness that infects animals’ respiratory system and also can suppress the immune system, in keeping with his bio.
“He survived, however not with out everlasting injury. His tooth didn’t develop in, inflicting his tongue to remain out and his proper entrance leg paddles 24/7,” his bio learn, noting that, other than his well being points his is a cheerful, “glugly” (glamorous/ugly) pup.
He and his proprietor Ann Lewis walked away with $5,000 in prize cash.
The Sonoma-Marin Truthful in Petaluma, Calif., has hosted the World’s Ugliest Canine Contest for almost 50 12 months’s, according to the fair’s website.
“This world-renowned occasion celebrates the imperfections that make all canines particular and distinctive,” a press release on the web site learn.
Final 12 months’s king was a 7-year-old Chinese language Crested canine named Scooter.
Scooter was born with deformed hind legs and was turned over to animal management by a breeder for euthanasia, however luckily, a member of the shelter Linda Elmquist adopted him, and the 2 stay fortunately in Tucson, Ariz.
“I’m overjoyed and extremely proud,” Elmquist mentioned final 12 months. “Regardless of the challenges he has confronted together with his deformed hind legs, Scooter has defied all odds and proven us the true which means of resilience and willpower. He has change into an inspiration to numerous folks around the globe.”