Meet Peanut, the Ugliest Dog in the World

1 minute read

He’s got a face only a mother could love: Peanut, a rescue dog with unknown breed origins, was crowned the World’s Ugliest Dog at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif., earlier this week.

The dog’s owner, Holly Chandler of Greenville, N.C., says 2-year-old Peanut is a victim of animal abuse and was injured in a fire, though he’s healthy now, CBS reports.

“He doesn’t have lips anymore,” Chandler says. “His eyelids are also gone, and so he can’t close his eyes, so therefore his eyes water. The tears drain into his nose and so he has nice little snot bubbles because of it. So it’s great, that adds to his character.”

Chandler plans to use the $1,500 prize money to help pay for other pets’ veterinary bills and hopes Peanut’s big win will call attention to animal abuse, the Associated Press reports.

“He’s my baby,” she said. “I guess I don’t see him every day as being that ugly. But I guess the judges thought so.”

[CBS]

APTOPIX World's Ugliest Dog
Peanut, a two-year-old mutt is held by Holly Chandler, his owner, after winning the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair, June 20, 2014, in Petaluma, Calif. George Nikitin—AP
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Quasi Modo, whom the owner claims has a back too short for its body, walks on the stage at The World's Ugliest Dog Competition.Josh Edelson—AFP/Getty Images
SweePee Rambo, a two-year-old Chihuahua Chinese Crested mix, is seen during the 2014 World's Ugliest Dog contest in Petaluma
SweePee Rambo, a two-year-old Chihuahua Chinese Crested mix.Stephen Lam—Reuters
Prince Austin, a Pug Pomeranian mix, is presented during the 2014 World's Ugliest Dog contest in Petaluma
Prince Austin, a Pug Pomeranian mix, is presented during the competition. Stephen Lam—Reuters
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Josie, a Chinese Crested sticks out its tongue at The World's Ugliest Dog Competition.Josh Edelson—AFP/Getty Images
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Grovie, a pug in a tuxedo, awaits the start of The World's Ugliest Dog Competition.Josh Edelson—AFP/Getty Images

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Write to Nolan Feeney at nolan.feeney@time.com