'World's ugliest dog' dead at 17-years-old

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn., June 3 (UPI) -- A Tennessee canine dubbed the "World's Ugliest Dog" for 2009 has died at the age of 17, her owner said.

Dawn Goehring of Pigeon Forge said Miss Ellie, the Chinese Crested (hairless) dog she adopted eight years ago, raised more than $100,000 for the Humane Society and animal shelters during various ugly dog competitions, including the Animal Planet 2009 "World's Ugliest Dog" pageant, which named the canine its champion, the New York Daily News reported Thursday.

Goehring said Miss Ellie also caught the public's attention with appearances on Animal Planet's "Dogs 101," billboards bearing her unmistakable likeness and walk-ons at the local Pigeon Forge Comedy Barn.

Goehring said the mayor of Pigeon Forge named Nov. 12 "Miss Ellie Day" in honor of the canine and her accomplishments.