A California dog trainer and his girlfriend were arrested after authorities discovered that at least ten dogs died while under their care.
Kwong ‘Tony’ Chun Sit, 53, and his girlfriend, Tingfeng Liu, 23, were arrested and booked into Orange County Jail on Thursday for animal cruelty and destruction of evidence after ten dogs reportedly died while in their care, according to investigators.
The Irvine Police Department said they received a call on Wednesday from a pet owner who claimed that they had received a message from their dog trainer saying that their dog has died in their sleep and has been cremated.
‘The one family reached out to us [and] thought it was kind of suspicious that their healthy dog died with this trainer,’ Kyle Oldoerp, a spokesperson for the Irvine Police Department, told The Los Angeles Times.
As the department’s Animal Services Unit began investigating, they discovered that at least ten dogs had died in the trainer’s care – with nine believed to have died on the same day.
Authorities said they then quickly recovered multiple dogs at different crematoriums.
‘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,’ a press release from the department reads.
Kwong ‘Tony’ Chun Sit, 53, and his girlfriend, Tingfeng Liu, 23, were arrested and booked into Orange County Jail on Thursday for animal cruelty and destruction of evidence after ten dogs reportedly died while in their care
The Irvine Police Department said they received a call on Wednesday from a pet owner who claimed that they had received a message from their dog trainer saying that their dog has died in their sleep and has been cremated. Pictured: Kwong ‘Tony’ Chun Sit of Southern California-based pet training service, Happy K9, training two dogs
Based on suspicious activity – including the attempted cremation of the animals – Sit and Liu were arrested.
Police are now working with veterinary professionals to perform necropsies and determine whether the deaths were accidental or intentional.
‘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,’ the department’s statement continued.
‘If they all died of an accidental poisoning, or something that was all the same, then it’s like, OK, maybe this is accidental,’ Oldoerp said. ‘But if it’s not, and they’re different causes, then that could take us down a different path.’
Sit, who worked with pet owners across Southern California under various business names – including ‘Happy K9 Academy’ – is facing serious scrutiny.
The academy, which specializes in ‘obedience, behavior modification, and service dog training,’ advertised a compassionate approach to dog training on its Yelp page.
As the department’s Animal Services Unit began investigating, they discovered that at least ten dogs had died in the trainer’s care – with nine believed to have died on the same day. Pictured: Three of the dogs believed to have been killed in the care of Kwong ‘Tony’ Chun Sit
Numerous pet owners have since taken to social media to post one-star reviews, sharing similar stories of their dogs dying while in Sit’s care
‘At Happy K9, our mission is simple yet profound – to enhance the bond between you and your furry best friend through effective, compassionate training. We believe that every dog has the potential to be a well-behaved, joyful companion, and our aim is to unlock that potential,’ the company wrote on its Yelp page.
However, numerous pet owners have since taken to social media to post one-star reviews, sharing similar stories of their dogs dying while in Sit’s care.
‘I would give zero stars if I could. Do NOT send your dog here unless you want to be told that your dog died peacefully and the body has been cremated without consent. Shameful. There’s a special place in hell for you Tony,’ a user by the name Jessica J. posted to Yelp.
‘Tony killed my dog Saint! he lied and said that she died peacefully in her sleep – she had no illnesses!! he sent her off to get cremated without our consent!!!! he sent a text HOURS after she died not even a phone call!!’ Aimee L. of Glendale, wrote.
‘My 5 month old Pomeranian, Cody, died under the care of Tony Sit. My Angel Cody was a healthy dog with a great personality, full of energy and full of love! The night my Cody died apparently 9 innocent dogs died too!’ Mary B., a resident of Rancho Palos Verdes wrote.
‘I’m praying that the parents of these innocent dogs find comfort and peace knowing that justice will be done to this monster! praying that this monster never be allowed to hurt another innocent dog ever again! I’m so sorry Cody my baby that I trusted this monster!’ the user added.
Another user, posting under the name Amelia S., of Los Angeles, wrote: ‘Not ok to have multiple dogs who died same day and not own some mistake, foul play, poison, or heat exposure or something!’
‘This man needs to never ever be able to touch a pet again and go behind bars for a very long time!! Very unhappy pet lover! NEVER EVER CONSIDER THIS SERVICE!’ the post continued.
The police department is urging people who may have used Sit’s services and were notified of their dog’s sudden passing while in this care to contact the Irvine Police Department.
The investigation is ongoing.