28 June,2015 06:45 AM IST | | Agencies
Quasi Modo, a hunchbacked dog who was abandoned at an animal shelter, won $1,500 at the California pageant
Petaluma: A 10-year-old mutt named Quasi Modo, whose spinal birth defects left him a bit hunchbacked, is the winner of this year's World's Ugliest Dog contest. The pit bull-Dutch shepherd mix and his owner took the $1,500 prize on Friday night, beating 25 other dogs competing in the contest that applauds imperfection, organisers aid.
A spinal birth defect left Quasi Modo a bit hunchbacked. Pic/AP
According to his biography posted on the contest's website, Quasi Modo was abandoned at an animal shelter before being adopted by a veterinarian in Loxahatchee, Florida. "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," his biography said.
Two Chinese crested and Chihuahua mixes named Sweepee Rambo and Frodo took the second- and third-place prizes, respectively. An eight-year-old Chihuahua named Precious received the Spirit Award, honoring a dog and owner who have overcome obstacles 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 her owner, who is disabled, of the problem, her biography said. The contest, held at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Petaluma, California, is in its 27th year. A three-judge panel assess the canines in several categories, including special or unusual attributes, personality and natural ugliness.
