The Brief An Irvine dog trainer was sentenced to nearly 12 years in prison on Friday for the deaths of 11 dogs, while his assistant received a three-year sentence for helping cover up the crimes. Prosecutors revealed that eight of the dogs died of heat stroke after being crammed into tight carriers inside a van, while a puppy named Rosie died from blunt-force trauma to the head. The investigation began when a client called police after receiving a text from the trainer claiming the dogs  died peacefully  in their sleep, leading officers to find a van reeking of bleach.



An Irvine dog trainer convicted of killing 11 dogs in his care was sentenced Friday to nearly 12 years in prison, while his assistant was ordered to spend three years behind bars for helping to cover up the crime.

Kwong  Tony  Chun Sit, 54, and his assistant, Tingfeng Liu, 24, were sentenced following their convictions connected to the deaths at Sit's Happy K9 Academy.

What we know:

Sit was sentenced to 11 years and 10 months in prison following his June 17 conviction on 10 felony counts of animal cruelty, two felony counts of animal abuse, and misdemeanor counts of attempting to conceal evidence and concealing evidence.

His co-defendant, Liu, was sentenced to three years after being convicted of felony accessory after the fact alongside misdemeanor counts of destroying or concealing evidence and attempting to do so.

The 11 dogs that died under Sit's care were identified as Shadow, Ziggy, Miko, Rosie, Theo, Puffin, Cody, Zoe, Luna, Bang Bang, and Saint.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

According to Deputy District Attorney Danica Drotman, the dogs stayed at the Happy K9 Academy for one- to two-week training periods. Necropsies later revealed that eight of the dogs died from heat stroke and one from blunt-force trauma.

When authorities investigated Sit's home, an officer discovered his Mercedes-Benz van filled with canine carrying containers that reeked of bleach.

Deputy District Attorney Michael Chay argued that the dogs were left in the vehicle, stating,  That van was a death bed.  Evidence indicated the dogs had been cramme

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