Dog trainer arrested, messaged owners that dogs died in sleep and were cremated. Police recover pets at crematoriums
who makes cremation decision for owner and that quickly??? very suspicious
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A prominent animal trainer and his girlfriend have been arrested on accusations that at least 10 dogs died and were cremated while under their care, and now an investigation is underway to determine the causes of death.
Thursday night, Irvine police arrested 53-year-old Kwong Tony Chun Sit of Irvine, and his girlfriend, 23-year-old Tingfeng Liu of Vista, on allegations of animal cruelty and destruction of evidence.
Chun Sit worked as an animal trainer in the area, and became the subject of an investigation after a pet owner contacted the Irvine Police Department to report that their dog died in its sleep while in his care and was cremated without their knowledge.
The Police Departments Animal Services Unit began investigating and learned that at least 10 dogs had died under similar circumstances while in Chun Sits care.
The bodies of several dogs were recovered at local crematoriums and necropsies are being conducted to determine how the dogs died.
https://ktla.com/news/california/dog-trainer-girlfriend-suspected-in-at-least-10-dog-deaths/
On June 18, 2025, at about 5:25 PM, the Irvine Police Department (IPD) was contacted by a pet owner who reported that they had received a message from their dog trainer saying that their dog had died in their sleep and had been cremated. Our Animal Services Unit and patrol officers immediately began investigating the circumstances. In the initial stages of the investigation, it was determined that at least ten dogs had died in the trainer's care. IPD quickly recovered multiple dogs at different crematoriums.
We are working closely with veterinary professionals who will perform necropsies to determine how the dogs died. Our priority is determining if the death of the dogs was accidental or intentional. Based on suspicious activity after the incident, including the attempted cremation of the dogs, Detectives arrested Kwong (Tony) Chun Sit, 53, of Irvine, for animal cruelty and destruction of evidence last night. Sits girlfriend, Tingfeng Liu, 23 of Vista, was arrested for the same charges. Both were booked at Orange County Jail. The investigation is ongoing, and Detectives continue to gather evidence and information.
Detectives believe Sit worked with pet owners across Southern California, under different company names, including Happy K9 Academy. If you have been notified of your dog's sudden passing while in the care of Mr. Sit or have any information related to this case, please contact rsteen@cityofirvine.org(link sends e-mail).
https://cityofirvine.org/news-media/press/article/89852