Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty ImagesAnd the World's Ugliest Dog of 2015 is...Quasi Modo.
A 10-year old pit bull and Dutch shepherd mix who was born with spinal defects, giving her an appearance of a hunchback, won his owner the top $1,500 prize at the annual competition, which "applauds imperfection." The contest took place at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California on Friday. Quasi Modo had come in second place in 2014.
"I was abandoned at an animal shelter and because of my strange looks life was looking pretty grim," reads the dog's bio, listed on the event's website. "Luckily, one of the veterinarians there saw the sparkle in my eyes and took me home. "I have multiple birth defects to my spine. My back is too short for the rest of my body and the parts went together in the worst possible way. In spite of this I still run, play and enjoy life to the fullest."
"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," it says.
The dog hails from Loxahatchee, Florida and beat 26 other contestants. In addition to winning the $1,500 prize, she will embark on a media tour and also undergo a makeover on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
Coming in at second place was Sweepee Rambo, a 16-year-old Chinese Crested-Chihuahua mix, while a 12-year-old similar mixed breed named Frodo placed third.
Many dogs of the mostly hairless Chinese Crested breed, purebreds and mutts, competed in this year's contest and have entered past World's Ugliest Dog competitions. One named Mugly, had won the World's Ugliest Dog competition in 2012.
Others participating in the 2015 contest included a 13-year-old Chihuahua named Pork, a 6-year-old miniature wire-haired Dachshund named Katana and a 12-year-old Chinese Pug named Grovie.