News Summary
In Irvine, a dog trainer and his girlfriend are facing multiple felony animal cruelty charges following the suspicious deaths of eleven dogs under their care. Both have pleaded not guilty and have been released on bail. Investigations revealed attempts to conceal the circumstances of the dogs’ deaths, including disposing of their bodies. The case has raised concerns about the practices of the defendants and the overall integrity of pet care services in Southern California, as authorities continue to seek additional information from pet owners.
Irvine, California – A local dog trainer, Kwong (Tony) Chun Sit, 53, and his girlfriend, Tingfeng Liu, 23, have been charged with multiple felony counts of animal cruelty following the deaths of eleven dogs in their care. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges in Orange County Superior Court and are currently awaiting trial on a bail of $550,000 each.
According to law enforcement officials, the couple allegedly attempted to conceal the circumstances surrounding the dogs’ deaths by disposing of their bodies at various crematoriums. The investigation began when a pet owner reported to the police that their dog had died while in Sit’s care and was cremated without permission or adequate information.
Investigators have identified that nine out of the eleven dogs died around June 18, 2025. Necropsies performed on three of the deceased animals revealed concerning details: two dogs succumbed to heatstroke, while one suffered from blunt force trauma. The first dog was reportedly taken to a crematorium on June 13, 2025, setting off further inquiries into the couple’s operations.
Sit faces substantial charges, including 11 counts of animal cruelty and 11 counts of animal abuse by a caretaker. Additionally, he has been charged with seven counts of attempting to destroy evidence and one count of destruction of evidence. Liu has been charged as an accessory to Sit’s alleged crimes and with destruction of evidence. Both individuals have been assigned public defenders as they navigate the legal process.
The couple was arrested under alarming circumstances; police reported that they were “packed and ready to flee” at the time of their apprehension. As the investigation progressed, evidence was gathered indicating that the couple worked under various company names – including Happy K9 Academy – to provide different dog training services, with fees ranging from $1,000 to $3,999 for obedience training.
In total, investigators have recovered several dog bodies from different crematoriums, with three examined and six others pending necropsy results, raising concerns about additional victims. Authorities are continuing to gather evidence and are encouraging other pet owners who lost dogs while in Sit’s care to come forward with any relevant information.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer has publicly condemned the actions of the couple, asserting that “no animal deserves to be killed and then tossed aside like a piece of garbage.” This ongoing case highlights the need for vigilance and accountability in the pet care industry, especially amid growing concerns about animal welfare.
As the legal proceedings continue, the investigation is expected to delve deeper into Sit’s operations throughout Southern California, considering the various aliases and company names he purportedly used. The community remains on alert, hopeful that justice will be served for the animals affected by this tragic situation.
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Additional Resources
- ABC News
- Los Angeles Times
- People
- Mercury News
- KTLA
- Wikipedia: Animal Cruelty
- Google Search: Animal Cruelty
- Google Scholar: Animal Cruelty Legal Cases
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Animal Welfare
- Google News: Animal Abuse Cases
