[Breezeaway]

By KEITH MORELLI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 18, 2009

Updated: 10 min. ago
BRANDON - The front steps of the Hillsborough County Animal Services shelter this morning looked like the box office selling tickets to a Beatles reunion, if that was possible. Scores of eager fans lined up, waiting for the door to open to grab that rare opportunity.
They weren't here for the Fab Four, though, but rather to snag another kind of shaggy headed rock star.

Ladies and Gentlemen: The Yorkshire terriers.

Although 75 people milled about this morning, only the first 23 of the popular breed are being adopted this morning, and their fans are rabid about the chance.

And it was all over pretty quick: All of them were adopted before 10:30 a.m.

The dogs were part of a pair of raids last week that netted 62 Yorkshire terriers and one aging German shepherd mix. The terriers, ranging in age from 8 weeks to 6 years, were seized at two feces-spattered and filthy locations in Seffner and Tampa, authorities said.

Delaine Bacon of Seminole Heights was first in line. She had been camped here since 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

"You missed our little slumber party," she said, a bit weary, but eager to get through the door and collect her Yorkie.

Since 1990, Bacon has had eight Yorkshire terriers, most of which came from a breeder who was raided last week, she said. "I wanted another Yorkie from that breeder and I figured this was my only chance."

She said the breeder, who has not been charged, ran a clean operation, but as she grew older, it became harder to care for the animals.

"She's a great person," Bacon said. "But she is elderly and I guess it became more challenging."

The Yorkies sold for up to $1,000 each, animal services officials said and many required veterinary care after they were confiscated.

No charges have been filed, but the investigation is continuing. The breeders were not contesting the ownership of the dogs up for adoption this week, including a dozen or so that will be available at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay on Friday, officials said. A court hearing on the ownership of the rest of the dogs is scheduled for this afternoon.

Potential adopters had to go through a screening process, which included approval of their application.

The cost of adopting any dog at the shelter is less than $100. That pays for the adoption fee, spay or neuter surgery, vaccinations and an implanted microchip.

Animal services spokesman Dennis McCullough chatted with the people this morning, saying the department is happy to help people get matched up with the dogs and to get them into "forever homes."

But, he said, "We're anxious to see everyone go."

He said a groomer volunteered this morning to come in and spruce up the Yorkies.

"I was just in there and there are cute," he said. "They all are jumping around."

The throng was not all that peaceful this morning, said Latanya Henry, talking about a fight that broke out between one of the anointed first 23 and a woman who was trying to save places in line for people not here.

Henry said the fight ended quickly, but expects a "bum's rush" when the door opens this morning. She plans to get a Yorkie to replace one she had to put to sleep in September.

"I figured if I can save one," she said, "I will."