Former 'World's Ugliest Dog' Miss Ellie dies at 17

PIGEON FORGE, Tennessee — Miss Ellie, a small, bug-eyed Chinese Crested Hairless dog whose pimples and lolling tongue helped her win Animal Planet's "World's Ugliest Dog" contest in 2009, has died at age 17 after a career in resort show business in the Smoky Mountains. The Mountain Press reported Thursday that Ellie starred in shows at the Comedy Barn in Pigeon Forge. She also appeared on The Animal Planet cable show "Dogs 101" and was on billboards and in a commercial. Pigeon Forge Mayor Keith Whaley proclaimed Nov. 12 as "Miss Ellie Day" for her owner's efforts to raise money for the local humane society. Over the years, Ellie helped raise more than $100,000 for the Sevier County Humane Society. She will be cremated. — AP