NEED TO KNOW
Aaron Phypers claims to PEOPLE that Denise Richards was allegedly not involved in their animals’ lives
She alleged that he put one of their dogs down without telling her, but a source close to Phypers claims it was due to the dog having cancer
This comes days after police responded to Phypers’ Calabasas residence when Richards showed up claiming she wanted to pick up one of their dogs
Aaron Phypers is offering an explanation for Denise Richards’ claims that he put their dog down without her knowledge.
Days after Richards’ attempt to pick up one of her dogs from Phypers’ house resulted in the police being called, he is accusing her of having ulterior motives. In a statement to PEOPLE, Phypers, 52, claims the actress, 54, didn’t have a relationship with or involvement in the lives of any of their pets.
“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 alleges.
PEOPLE has reached out to Richards’ rep for comment.
Leon Bennett/Getty
Aaron Phypers and Denise Richards
A source close to Phypers adds the dog that was put down had health issues and forced him into making a tough choice.
“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 claims. “It was a painful decision. To say she was ‘put down’ is hurtful.”
On Sunday, Aug. 3, the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department responded to the home Phypers and his family are living in after Richards showed up on the property.
Although the Starship Troopers star had a temporary restraining order against Phypers amid allegations of physical abuse, authorities determined that they “did not have any evidence that a crime occurred” by Richards showing up to the property.
Richards’ lawyer, Brett Berman, further told PEOPLE that she “did not violate” that temporary restraining order.
“On August 3, 2025, after confirming that Mr. Phypers was not present in her home, Ms. Richards entered the home to retrieve her dogs after learning that Mr. Phypers had put down one of her other dogs without her knowledge or permission,” Berman said.
PEOPLE later confirmed that Phypers was present at the time that the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum got to the home.
A source close to Phypers also told PEOPLE that Richards was allegedly screaming and banging on the door, and Phypers left through a different exit when he heard her.
“Denise’s attorney has consistently struck out in pursuit of the truth,” Phypers said in a statement responding to Berman’s claims. “There is a difference between telling the truth and trying to protect your client.”
“Having the title of attorney or being a celebrity does not put you above the law,” he continued. “It does not give you the right to humiliate others for the sake of your interests. Both of these actions have been readily apparent here in the last couple of weeks.”
Arnold Jerocki/Getty; JC Olivera/Variety via Getty
Aaron Phypers; Denise Richards
The pair split in July after six years of marriage, with Phypers citing “irreconcilable differences” in his divorce filing.
The following week, Richards accused him of domestic violence and said he “repeatedly abused” her throughout their relationship.
“Aaron would frequently violently choke me, violently squeeze my head with both hands, tightly squeeze my arms, violently slap me in my face and head, aggressively slam my head into the bathroom towel rack, threaten to kill me, hold me down with his knee on my back to the point where I would have to plead with him to get off me so that he would not kill me and hack into my laptop and phone and download all of my text messages,” Richards alleged in court documents obtained by PEOPLE.
“Aaron regularly threatened to ‘break my jaw’ and would cry, beg me to stay, and promise to get help — none of which ever happened,” she continued, adding that Phypers allegedly “has caused me at least three concussions.”
https://people.com/app/scene?sceneId=9de86c07-a15a-409e-8382-c1ab68eaf839&shortlink=kz7l4cuf&c=People.com%20Homepage%20Fourth%20Wall%20Revise%20Download%20070725&pid=People.com&af_xp=custom&source_caller=ui
Phypers denied abusing Richards at any point in a previous statement to PEOPLE.
“Let me be unequivocally clear: I have never physically or emotionally abused Denise — or anyone,” he said at the time. “These accusations are completely false and deeply hurtful. Denise and I, like many couples, have faced our share of challenges, but any suggestion of abuse is categorically untrue. I have always tried to approach our marriage with love, patience, and respect.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
Read the original article on People
