IRVINE — Kwong Chun Sit was sentenced to 11 years and 10 months in state prison after being convicted of 11 felony counts of animal cruelty that resulted in the deaths of 11 dogs left in his care. The sentencing, handed down by Judge Kim Menninger, concludes a case that began after multiple dog owners reported unexpected deaths of pets entrusted to Sit’s Irvine-based Happy K9 Academy.

Sit, 54, operated Happy K9 Academy, which advertised dog boarding and training services priced between $999 and $3,399 per session. Eleven dogs died while under his supervision, with necropsies showing that eight died from heat stroke and one from blunt force trauma. Two of the dogs had been cremated before authorities could determine a cause of death. The dogs were kept in crates inside a van, according to investigators.

Sit was also convicted of seven misdemeanor counts of attempting to destroy evidence and one misdemeanor count of destroying evidence. He and his girlfriend, 24-year-old Tingfeng Liu, dropped off the dogs’ bodies at multiple crematoriums, and investigators later recovered several of the remains. Liu was sentenced to three years in state prison after being convicted of one felony count of accessory to a felony, one misdemeanor count of destruction of evidence, and two misdemeanor counts of attempted destruction of evidence.

The case originated in June 2025 when the owner of a dog named Miko contacted Irvine police after receiving a text message from Sit that read: “I’m so sorry to let you know that Miko passed away peacefully during the night while resting. There were no signs of pain or struggle, and it was truly unexpected. I am deeply saddened by this loss.” Miko had already been cremated. Irvine police opened an investigation that uncovered the broader pattern of deaths and disposal efforts.

During sentencing, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer stated: “Instead of years of memories with their beloved pets, eleven families must forever relive the horror of knowing their loved ones died stuck in tiny cages and trapped in a hot van with no way out until they died horrifically painful deaths.” One of the deceased dogs had been a Christmas present for an 8-year-old child.

Pet owner Amy Caramanzana said: “My family will never be the same.” Another owner, Chris Davis, remarked: “This last year was horror. And today, with this sentencing, we hope to get some type of positive out of it.”

Sit, who also went by the first name Tony, made statements through a translator during court proceedings. He claimed: “The dogs were staying in an air-conditioned space.” He added: “And I made sure that before I went to bed, I checked the air conditioner. It was working all right. But then there was a power outage. I found out only the next day.”

Why It Matters

The convictions and sentences reflect the severity with which California law treats animal cruelty resulting in death, particularly when compounded by attempts to conceal evidence. The case prompted distress among multiple families who entrusted their pets to a professional trainer, and it exposed systemic failures in oversight of private pet care services. The disposal of bodies across multiple crematoriums delayed the investigation but ultimately contributed to additional charges for both defendants.