World's Ugliest Dog Contest: Wild Thang Takes First Place

• An 8-year-old Pekingese is the winner of this year's World's Ugliest Dog Contest.
• This is the first victory for Wild Thang, a 5-time competitor in the annual event held at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in the northern California city of Petaluma. The Pekingese, whose owner Ann Lewis received $5,000 in prize money, placed second three times before coming out on top this year.
• The dog was born and raised in Los Angeles and recently retired to North Bend, Oregon.
• According to his bio, Wild Thang contracted distemper as a puppy from a rescue foster.
• "He survived, but not without permanent damage," his bio says. "His teeth did not grow in, causing his tongue to stay out and his right front leg paddles 24/7."
• Apart from the physical issues, Wild Thang is "a healthy, happy Glugly (glamorous/ugly) guy."
• The contest has been going on for nearly 50 years, according to the Sonoma-Marin Fair's website, where the event takes place. The annual competition focuses on celebrating the uniqueness of all dogs and the benefits of adopting.

World's Ugliest Dog contest: Wild Thang takes first place as winner