An Irvine couple is facing serious charges after the deaths of at least 11 dogs in their care. Kwong “Tony” Chun Sit, 53, and his girlfriend Tingfeng Liu, 23, were arrested last week on suspicion of animal cruelty and destruction of evidence. The Irvine Police Department began investigating after a dog owner reported that their healthy dog had died unexpectedly while under Sit’s care.
The investigation revealed that two of the dogs died from heatstroke, while another died from blunt-force trauma. Some of the deceased dogs were cremated before they could be examined, raising further suspicions. Authorities recovered all the bodies, including those that had been cremated. Currently, at least six other animals are awaiting necropsies to determine the cause of death.
The couple operated a dog training service called K9 Academy, which offered various training programs priced between $999 and $3,999. The Orange County District Attorney’s office stated that Sit faces 30 charges, including 11 felony counts of animal cruelty and animal abuse by a caretaker, alongside several misdemeanor counts related to evidence destruction. Liu is charged with being an accessory to a felony and also faces misdemeanor charges.
Prosecutors noted that the couple was ready to flee when they were arrested, leading to an increase in their bail to $550,000. If convicted on all charges, Sit could face up to 13 years in prison, while Liu could face four years.
The case has raised concerns among pet owners and animal advocates, with many expressing outrage over the alleged abuse. Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer stated that no animal deserves to be treated poorly or discarded. The couple remains in custody as the investigation continues, and authorities are urging anyone who may have had a dog die under similar circumstances with Sit to come forward.