The 50th annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest took place in California, where the top prize went to a six-year-old pug named Ginny Lou, rescued from the meat trade in South Korea, reports infohub.kz.
The anniversary competition was held in Santa Rosa, California. The winner, a pug named Ginny Lou, beat out other contestants and brought her owner, Michelle Grady, a $5,000 prize. This was the dog's fourth attempt at the title; last time she took second place.
Ginny Lou was found in a wooden crate in the freezing mountains of South Korea, where she was saved by volunteers from Pug Rescue. Her owner adopted her four years ago. The dog stands out from other pugs with her bulging eyes and perpetually protruding tongue.
Organizers emphasize that the contest is not meant to mock animals but to draw attention to shelter dogs. Today, Ginny Lou participates in charity programs, visiting schools, hospices, and dementia care units.
Second place went to Pinky, a Pomeranian-Chihuahua mix, and third to Otto, a Chihuahua.