Dog trainer convicted of killing 11 dogs, cremating their remains

A California dog trainer has been convicted of multiple counts of animal cruelty after authorities found that 11 dogs in his care died at a boarding and training facility in Irvine.

Kwong Chun Sit, 54, who operated Happy K9 Academy, was found guilty of 11 felony counts of animal cruelty along with additional misdemeanour charges related to attempting to destroy and concealing evidence, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. He faces a potential sentence of up to 13 years and 11 months in prison.

People reported his girlfriend, 24-year-old Tingfeng Liu, was also convicted in connection with the case. She was found guilty of accessory to a felony and multiple counts tied to the destruction and attempted destruction of evidence. She could face up to four years in custody.

Prosecutors said the case began in June 2025 after a pet owner was informed by Sit that their dog had died while in his care and had been “lovingly cremated.” The explanation raised concerns, prompting an investigation by the Irvine Police Department’s Animal Services Unit.

Authorities later uncovered multiple suspicious dog deaths linked to the facility. Investigators recovered remains from several crematoriums and identified a pattern of deaths involving dogs that had been boarded at Happy K9 Academy over a short period.

According to the District Attorney’s Office, 11 dogs were confirmed dead in connection with the case. Officials said two of the animals had already been cremated before investigations began, preventing full determination of their causes of death.

Of the remaining animals examined, authorities reported that eight died from heat-related injuries, while one died from blunt force trauma. One additional case could not be fully determined due to prior cremation.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer condemned the conduct, calling it a serious breach of trust and stating that animal abuse would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Prosecutors said the investigation revealed efforts to conceal what had happened to the animals after their deaths, which led to the additional convictions for attempting to destroy evidence.

Sentencing for both defendants is expected in the coming weeks.