Cheryl Burke Says Dog Custody Battle with Ex Matthew Lawrence Is 'Cruel': 'She's My Dog'

Mar. 15, 2025

Matthew Lawrence and Cheryl Burke with their dog.Photo: Crash/Imagespace/Shutterstock; Cheryl Burke/Instagram

Cheryl Burkeis opening up about the ongoing legal drama between herself and her ex-husband Matthew Lawrence over their dog.

Though theDancing with the Starspro’s divorce from Lawrence, 42, wasfinalized in September, there’s one looming asset that has divided them: who will keep their shared dog, Ysabella.

Burke, 38, spoke candidly about the emotional turmoil the custody battle has brought. “Oh, I’m gonna cry,” she toldEntertainment Tonightwhilespeaking about their dog. “It’s just really sad, you know.”

“It sucks because, for me, it’s just cruel,” she said. “She’s my dog, andit was a gift from my ex, and I hope that this soon, you know, dies down, and he calls it off. Because you’re taking, like, my daughter away from me.”

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

Burke also addressed the custody battle during a recent episode of her podcast,Burke in the Game.

“I’m a dog mom. And that’s it. I can’t even imagine my life. I mean, I could just cry right now but, like, couldn’t imagine my life without her.”

In a statement to PEOPLE at the time, Burke’s attorney Scott Klopert said, “The firm does not comment on pending litigation.”

It appears Burke has had Ysabella in her possession since the split. In the days following their divorce announcement,Burke and the pup took a healing getawayto the venue where she and Lawrence were married in 2019.

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Besides being focused on her dog, Burke has been busy competing onDancing with the Starsalongside Sam Champion. The duo wereeliminated last nightin week four after landing in the bottom two for the second consecutive week.

source: people.com