Disagreements over how many dogs can stay at the Braveheart Rescue dog shelter in rural Dakota County may lead to extra dogs being removed, say Marshan Township officials.

After heated words were exchanged with shelter owner Brandi Tracy at the Township Board meeting this month, an inspection found 12 dogs on the five-acre property, said Board of Supervisors Chairman Jerry Bauer. The board gave Tracy a three month-extension in July to place the dogs.

"It doesn't sound like she is getting rid of them," he said. "She had until Oct. 17 to clean up the place."

He said Tracy can keep up to four dogs like any other resident. He noted she had applied for a conditional use permit which won't go anywhere because the township has no rules for dog shelters.

Tracy said she plans to keep eight dogs and expected to place the other four last week. She said she is raising money for a legal challenge to the board's refusal to permit her shelter.

"I am not quitting until I get my rescue back," Tracy said.

Bauer said the matter will be turned over to township attorney George May.

"She has dogs on her property now without a conditional use permit," May said. "That would be a violation of the ordinance. I imagine that would probably necessitate coming on her property and removing the animals."

Tracy says she takes abused or aggressive dogs that many shelters would euthanize, and she tries to socialize them so people can adopt them.

DAKOTA COUNTY

Foreclosures drop Foreclosures are down in Dakota County. The number of sheriff's sales in September was 123, compared with 173 in September 2011, the county says.

The total number of foreclosure sales for the year is also down. Last year there were 1,518 sheriff's sales from January to September. This year there have been 1,188 in the same period.

BURNSVILLE

Fire safety for seniors Burnsville residents 62 and older are invited to learn fire-prevention tips and techniques to stay safe and keep the "burn" out of Burnsville.

From 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Burnsville Fire Department will offer a free fire prevention seminar for seniors at Burnsville Senior Center. 200 W. Burnsville Pkwy.

Topics to be covered include cooking safety, home oxygen, tips for smokers, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, candle safety, safe home heating and electrical safety.

Refreshments will be served. E-mail amber.jacobson@ci .burnsville.mn.us or call 952-895-4575 by the end of Monday to register. A minimum of 15 participants is required to hold the class.

SOUTH METRO

Pumpkin recycling Residents of Burnsville, Apple Valley and Eagan can drop off their pumpkins for organic recycling during a free one-day collection from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Eagan Community Center parking lot, 1501 Central Pkwy., Eagan.

Pumpkins brought to this drop-off event will be collected by Dick's Sanitation and taken to a special organics recycling facility.

All candle wax must be removed, and painted pumpkins will not be accepted. Kids with their parents will get a free treat for making their Halloween "green."

APPLE VALLEY

Mobile pantry coming A new mobile food pantry will get an official rollout in Apple Valley with an open house from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 8.

The pantry, run by the Eagan and Lakeville Resource Centers, is a bus full of freshly stocked food that will regularly travel to a handful of sites to serve clients who's made appointments in advance.

The host site in Apple Valley is the Restoration Covenant Ministry Center, 7707 W. 147th St. During the open house, the community is invited to partake in desserts and apple cider, tour the bus and host site, and meet staff and volunteers.

To make an appointment at the pantry, call 651-686-0787. To get involved as a volunteer, call 651-688-3189. The center is online at www.eaganrc.org.

LAURIE BLAKE AND JIM ADAMS