Who Are You Callin' Ugly?

The title of the World's Ugliest Dog is up for grabs in today's 24th annual competition at the Sonoma-Marin Fair following the death of the reigning World's Ugliest Dog this week.

Last year's World's Ugliest Dog winner, Yoda, a 1.8-pound mutt from the Central Valley city of Hanford, died in her sleep Wednesday at the age of 15, according to contest organizers.

"This last year has been amazing, it allowed Yoda to be the star I always knew she was," said owner Terry Schumacher. "The whole world thought she was a blessing and one of a kind. I knew this from the moment when I realized, 'Yes it was a dog!'" said Schumacher, who had initially thought Yoda was a rat when her daughter first found her in a field.

"I really encourage people to enter the contest because of the attention it brings to rescue dogs like Yoda," Schumacher said.

Contestants will take part in a red carpet walk at 5:30 p.m. today at the Sonoma-Marin Fair, with the World's Ugliest Dog Contest and Rescue Dog Parade to follow at 6 p.m.

The winner will take home $1,000 in prize money and a trophy. If Yoda had made it to today's event, she would have been pitted against the finalists in the Ring of Champions round featuring previous years' winners.

Contestant photos and descriptions can be viewed and ugly dog lovers can cast their votes at www.sonoma-marinfair.org. Contest admission is included in the cost of admission to the fair, which runs through Sunday. For more information, go to the fair's website or call (707) 283-3247.

-Bay City News