'World's Ugliest Dog' Zsa Zsa passes away at age 9

Updated

Tragic news has emerged on the World's Ugliest Dog, Zsa Zsa: The bulldog, who just recently took the title at the end of June, passed away in her sleep at the age of 9.

The pup was rescued from a puppy mill when she was 5, but had no reported health issues according to her owner. Megan Brainard, who adopted Zsa Zsa from Underdog Rescue, announced her death on Tuesday.

"I'm sad to share that Zsa Zsa passed away in her sleep last night," Brainard said.

PHOTOS: Inside the World's Ugliest Dog Competition

Just a few weeks ago, the bulldog made headlines for beating out 13 other canines in the 30th annual World's Ugliest Dog competition, which aims to raise awareness on pet rescues and puppy mills. Zsa Zsa, with her protruding tongue, drool and pink talons, quickly warmed the judges' hearts.

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"She was eating part of a Slim Jim on the table and just sneezed all over them and was drooling on them," explained Brainard, who drove 30 hours from Missouri to enter beloved Zsa Zsa in the competition.

"From the moment we saw her beautiful face, we knew we would be her forever home," her family had said.

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