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."
