Denise Richards’ Ex Aaron Phypers Claims She “Hasn’t interacted” With Pets in 2 Years as Insider Explains Why One of Their Dogs Was Put Down

Denise Richards‘ estranged husband, Aaron Phypers, is fighting back after being accused of putting down one of their dogs without her knowledge or consent.

Days after the 54-year-old Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star was met by police after showing up to the home where Aaron, 52, lives with his parents and brother, to retrieve one of their pets, Aaron is claiming that Denise hasn’t interacted with any of their animals in years, despite one having cancer.

“Denise hasn’t interacted with the animals in two years and never has wanted knowledge or wanted to give her permission to any type of care for the animals,” Aaron explained in a statement to PEOPLE on August 7.

According to an insider close to Aaron, the dog Denise came to pick up, and accused him of putting down without her approval, was put down due to its illness, which forced Aaron into making the heartwrenching decision.

“Melanie, a sweet elder dog who Aaron loved, had late stage cancer and was suffering when he took her for help as the vet insisted the few days she had left being in pain were better met with putting her to sleep and off to heaven,” the source shared. “It was a painful decision. To say she was ‘put down’ is hurtful.”

In the month-plus since Aaron filed for divorce after six years of marriage, Denise and Aaron have hit one another with a slew of shocking allegations, including claims of domestic violence, which Aaron denied.

Aaron also targeted Denise with accusations of an affair with her Special Forces co-star, Rudy Reyes, and an addiction to Vicodin, as he called for an intervention in a letter sent to the actress’ family.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season 15 is currently in production and expected to begin airing on Bravo sometime later this year or early next year.