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Deformed mutt crowned World’s Ugliest Dog

PETALUMA (California) — A 10-year-old mutt whose spinal birth defects left it a bit hunchbacked is the winner of this year’s World’s Ugliest Dog contest.

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PETALUMA (California) — A 10-year-old mutt named Quasi Modo, whose spinal birth defects left it a bit hunchbacked, is the winner of this year's World's Ugliest Dog contest.

The pit bull-Dutch shepherd mix and its owner took the US$1,500 (S$2,023) prize last night (June 26), besting 25 other dogs competing in the contest that applauds imperfection, organisers said.

Quasi Modo was abandoned at an animal shelter before being adopted by a veterinarian in Loxahatchee, Florida, according to its biography posted on the contest's website.

"My appearance can be a little unsettling to some (I have had grown men jump on top of their cars to get away from me because they thought I was a hyena or Tasmanian devil) but once they get to know me I win them over with my bubbly personality," the biography said.

Two Chinese crested and Chihuahua mixes named Sweepee Rambo and Frodo took the second- and third-place prizes, respectively.

An 8-year-old Chihuahua named Precious received the "spirit award", honouring a dog and owner who have overcome obstacles and/or are providing service to the community. Precious, who is blind in one eye, is trained to monitor smells related to low blood sugar levels and alert its owner, a disabled veteran, of the problem, its biography said.

The contest, held at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Petaluma, California, is in its 27th year.

The dogs are scored by a three-judge panel in several categories, including special or unusual attributes, personality and natural ugliness.

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