Linda and Craig Kleven
Linda and Craig Kleven
Walnut Grove, MN 56180
41-A-0015
Catherine Hovancsak, VMO
Last USDA Inspection Prior to CAPS Investigation: 12/13/00 – “No 
non-compliances identified this inspection”
USDA Inspection Subsequent to CAPS Investigation: 1/2/02 – One 
violation
CAPS Investigation: 10/29/01

Approximately 100 dogs. Breeds included Miniature Pinschers, Shih 
Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, Pomeranians, Rat Terriers, Jack Russell Terriers, 
Pekingese, Schnauzers, Corgies, Akitas, Yellow Labradors, Basenjis, 
West Highland Terriers, Schipperkes, Pugs and Poodles. 

The property around the kennel areas was cluttered with weeds and 
debris (3.11(c)-Housekeeping for premises). The debris included old, 
cracked plastic dishes, bones, dog fur, chicken feathers, boards, etc. 
Cats, sickly kittens, chickens and turkeys ran loose on the property. 
There were chicken and turkey feces all over the yard. However, the 
area near the Klevens home was very clean and tidy. 

The small breed dogs lived in outdoor runs. These runs were made 
out of chain link fence and concrete with concrete fecal run-off 
troughs in front. The troughs had a lot of feces and hair build-up (3.1
(f)-Drainage and waste disposal) (3.11(a)-Cleaning of primary 
enclosures). The concrete floors of the kennels were starting to chip 
and crack (3.4(c)-Outdoor housing facilities, Construction) (3.6(a)(1) 
and (2)(ix)-Primary enclosures) and had urine and feces stains (3.1(c)
(2)(3)-Housing facilities, general; Surfaces) (3.11(a)-Cleaning of 
primary enclosures). The chain link fencing was rusty in most areas 
(3.1(c)(1)(i)-Surfaces). This area was hidden behind an old privacy 
fence. 

The dog doors leading into their shelters were chewed and in need of 
replacement (3.1(c)(2)-Maintenance and replacement of surfaces) (3.4
(c)-Outdoor housing facilities, Construction) (3.6(a)(i)-Primary 
enclosures). Some units were missing entire dog doors 3.1(1)-
Structure; construction) (3.6(a)(i)-Primary enclosures) and had 
scratched wooden openings 3.1(c)(2)-Surfaces) (3.4(b)-Shelter from 
the elements) (3.4(c)-Construction) (3.6(a)(1)-Primary enclosures). 

The Shih Tzus, Poodles and Pekingeses were damp and had obvious 
urine stains on their fur (2.40-Veterinary care). 

The chain link outdoor runs with the larger dogs and small breeds 
were in far worse condition. These runs had fecal run-off troughs in 
front of the enclosures with feces, urine and hair build-up (3.1(f)-
Drainage and waste disposal) (3.11(a)-Cleaning of primary 
enclosures). 

Dog urine and liquid was running from one kennel into the adjoining 
pens (3.1(f)-Drainage and waste disposal). Male dogs urinated through 
the fence onto dogs in adjoining pens. A wheelbarrow brimming with 
urine, liquid feces, old bones and hair and old dog kibble sat in front 
of these enclosures (3.1(f)-Drainage and waste disposal). It put off a 
very foul odor; which was worse than that of the filthy ammonia odor 
of the enclosures. West Highland Terriers and Shih Tzus in this area 
were damp and had urine stains on their fur. Some of the kennels had 
dirty, white plastic water bowls with stagnant green algae (3.10-
Watering) (3.11(b)(2)-Sanitization of food and water receptacles. I saw 
flies and old bones, fur, leaves and other debris in the bowls (3.11(b)
(2)). Dog doors were chewed 3.1(c)(2)-Surfaces) (3.4(c)-Outdoor 
housing facilities, Construction) (3.6(a)(1)-Primary enclosures) and 
even missing in some enclosures (3.4(b)-Shelter from the elements). 

An old male Akita was in need of grooming (2.40-Veterinary care) and 
his hair was falling out in clumps. His ears had been chewed off and 
had healed (2.40). The chain link kennel area was severely rusted (3.1
(c)(1)(i)-Surfaces) and chewed (3.1(c)(2)-Maintenance and 
replacement of surfaces). The female yellow Lab in the pen next to the 
Akita was in heat. The male Lab housed with her would not leave her 
alone. Her neck was missing fur and had a red sore area (2.40). This 
may have been caused by her collar. 

I did not notice a wind or rain break or shade for the dogs when they 
were in the outside portion of their enclosures (3.4(b)(2)-Shelter from 
the elements). 

The indoor shelter area for these dogs consisted of poorly constructed 
dens inside of a large barn. The wood inside of the shelters was 
unsealed and chewed (3.1(a)-Structure; construction) (3.4(c)-
Construction) (3.6(a)(1)-Primary enclosures). I saw no bedding, and 
the temperature was approximately 35 - 40° F at night and 49° F 
during the daytime (3.4(b)(4)-Shelter from the elements). 

The inside of the barn was littered with debris including unused 
boards, wire, tractors, large amounts of straw and hay, leaves, 
electrical cords, gas cans, an air compressor, lawn mowers, etc. (3.11
(c)-Housekeeping for premises). Chickens, turkeys, mice, cats and 
sickly kittens were also in the barn (3.1(b)-Condition and site). The 
barn had a dirt floor. This area was also used for food storage. Bags of 
food were stacked on the dirt floor (3.1(e)- Storage of food and 
bedding). Empty (Diamond) bags were tossed around on the floor (3.1
(b)-Condition and site). The empty bags had been chewed by the 
rodents, and I noticed a sickly kitten napping in one. 

The whelping building had a very strong ammonia odor (3.2(b)-
Indoor housing facilities, Ventilation). The cages were hutch style and 
painted white. The floor was made of cracked concrete (3.2(d)-
Interior Surfaces) (3.6(a)(2)(x)-Primary enclosures) Underneath the 
pens was liquid (urine and water) and feces (3.11(a)-Cleaning of 
primary enclosures). A green garden hose was under the hutches in 
this wet mess. 

I noticed that the dogs had scratched the paint off of the inside walls 
of their enclosures (3.1(c)(2)-Maintenance and replacement of surfaces 
(3.6(1)(1)-Primary enclosures). There was a lot of hair build-up in and 
around the cages (3.2(d)-Interior Surfaces). 

In one cage, I saw three very matted, dirty Schnauzers (2.40-
Veterinary care). They were in desperate need of grooming and had 
extremely long toenails. The plastic coating over the wire part of the 
enclosure was peeling off, leaving rusty wire exposed (3.1(c)(1)(i)-
Surfaces) (3.1(c)(2)-Maintenance and replacement of surfaces) (3.6(a)
(2)(xii)-Primary enclosures). 

The Klevens are also using an old house trailer as a whelping building. 
I opened the door and was almost knocked out by the strong 
ammonia odor (3.2(b)-Ventilation). What used to be the living room 
and kitchen in this old trailer was now used for food storage. Bags of 
food were tossed around on the floor (3.1(e)-Storage). Unused filthy 
kennel crates, dirty syringes (2.40), medicine, shredded newspaper, 
feces and dog kibble littered the floor, tables and counter tops (3.1(b)-
Condition and site). The dogs were kept in the back bedrooms. I did 
not notice proper ventilation (3.2(b)-Ventilation). The floors still had 
old carpet on them. They were not impervious to moisture (3.2(d)-
Interior Surfaces) and looked like they had never been cleaned (3.11
(b)(3)-Sanitization of primary enclosures). 

Strangely enough, I also noticed Fisher Price toys and children’s 
riding toys stored in with the dog supplies. It also appeared that there 
had been a leak in the roof due to the water-damaged walls (3.1(a)-
Structure;construction). It is hard to believe that Dr. Hovancsak 
found no non-compliances at this facility on 12/31/00 and just a 3.4(b)
(4) violation for lack of bedding in the outdoor housing facilities on 
1/2/02. (See Appendix A-3 for photos of the Kleven facility). 
 
  