Seeking feedback please.

Filed for divorce in March - he moved out. Went out of country in Sept. and husband took in the 2 dogs since I'd be gone 8 weeks. Divorce finalized while I was away. Only contact from him was an email verifying that he received the settlement money. I'm due to return to US in 5 days.

- Do I contact him to get the dogs back? I do love them very much but the thought of asking him for anything makes me sick.
- Do I leave the dogs with him, since they're such a tie to him/the past? [important note, he has a history of being violent towards the dogs, but hasn't been within the last year that I know of...although he did get one intentionally stoned a few times b/c he thought it was funny]