In a competition held at the 2024 Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California on June 21, Wild Thang emerged as the world’s ugliest dog. The 8-year-old Pekingese beat out 7 other competitors to win the title, making history as the first time he had done so.
Wild Thang, who hails from Coos Bay, Oregon, has been participating in the World’s Ugliest Dog contest for five years prior to this victory. He was diagnosed with Care’s disease at just 10 months old, resulting in an inability to grow teeth and a muscular disorder in one leg.
Ann Lewis, Wild Thang’s owner, will receive a $5,000 bonus for the victory and will make an appearance on NBC’s Today show. The contest has been held annually for nearly 50 years with the goal of promoting animal adoption and love for all animals.
The jury for this year’s competition included NBC News reporter Gadi Schwartz, human rights activist Linda Witong Abrahm, and California State Treasurer Fiona Ma. Rome, a 14-year-old pug came in second place while third place went to Daisy Mae, a 14-year-old white mixed breed dog who had been rescued from the streets at the age of two with missing teeth, fur and eyesight. In addition to the jury selected prizes
