An Orange County dog trainer and his girlfriend accused of animal cruelty and animal abuse after at least 11 dogs died while under his care, appeared in court for their settlement hearing on Monday.

Detectives began their investigation into trainer Kwong (Tony) Chun Sit, 53, and his girlfriend Tingfeng Liu, 23, after a dog owner received a text message from the suspect in June saying that their dog had died in its sleep and had been cremated, according to the Irvine Police Department.

Sit faces multiple felony counts of animal cruelty and animal abuse for the deaths of 11 dogs. Liu faces charges as an accomplice. Sit faces a maximum sentence of 13 years and 11 months in prison. If convicted as charged, Liu faces four years in custody. Both have pleaded not guilty.

Attorneys fo

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