Aaron Phypers claims estranged wife Denise Richards has had no relationship with their dog despite the “Wild Things” star accusing him of putting the pup down without permission.
“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,” he told People in a statement Thursday.
Reps for Phypers and Richards did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
Richards accused Phypers of having their senior dog, Melanie, put down “without her knowledge or permission” after she caused a scene at their Calabasas, Calif., home where her estranged husband is staying with his parents.
Police were called to the home on Sunday after Richards, 54, made an impromptu visit at the home despite her temporary restraining order against Phypers to pick up her other dogs.
At the time, Richards’ attorney, Brett Berman, denied any wrongdoing on the reality star’s part, claiming to People that Richards did not violate the restraining order because she confirmed beforehand that Phypers “was not present in her home.”
A source close to Phypers, 52, called Richards’ allegations “100 percent, absolutely false.”
On Thursday, an insider close to the Quantum 360 founder also hit back at Richards’ claims about their beloved pooch, telling People that there were extenuating circumstance surrounding the elderly dog’s health.
“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 insider shared.
“It was a painful decision. To say she was ‘put down’ is hurtful.”
Richards was granted a restraining order against her estranged husband amid their contentious divorce battle after she claimed Phypers of being physically abusive toward her during their marriage.
Phypers, who filed for divorce from the “Blue Lagoon” actress on July 7, has since denied Richards’ abuse allegations.
He also accused his soon-to-be ex-wife of having an addiction to Vicodin and alcohol and of having an affair with her “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” co-star Rudy Reyes.
