Denise Richards increases security after Charlie Sheen's threat

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Denise Richards and Charlie Sheen, shown in 2003, no longer have a picture-perfect relationship.

As Charlie Sheen continues to spiral further out of control, his ex-wife Denise Richards is trying even harder to shield their kids from his wild ways.

Richards, who has openly admitted to keeping daughters ? 7-year-old Sam and 5-year-old Lola ? away from the media during their father's very public meltdowns, has now reportedly decided to increase her security detail.

The decision comes shortly after Sheen, 45, vilified Richards, 40, in a thinly-veiled tweet that suggested he might harm her over a dispute involving their dogs.

Though the couple divorced in 2006 after four years of marriage, Sheen reportedly retained possession of their two pugs. According to TMZ.com, Richards recently heard that the dogs were being mistreated, prompting her to remove them from Sheen's home.

One of the dogs later died of malnutrition, but Sheen is on a hunt to get the other canine back.

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"We must bombard with Warlock Napalm, that traitor and loser whore #DUH-neese POOR-ards," the actor tweeted Monday. "a vile kidnapper and now dog thief. hate. SBW."

The comments, not surprisingly, aren't sitting well with Richards, PopEater.com reported.

"Denise and her girls live a simple life. She wants Sam and Lola to have normal lives, but after the recent threats and verbal attacks, she has increased her security," a source told the site. "When you are dealing with a mad man, it's better to be safe than sorry."

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An insider close to both stars said Sheen's tweet is reminiscent of how he has often treated her during conflicts.

"How Denise has managed to keep all this secret for so long is a miracle," the pal said. "If Charlie is willing to put those evil tweets out in public, you can only imagine what he has called Denise in private."

"Denise has learned how to deal with the name calling, but once you start tweeting pictures of yourself with knives and saying you wished someone would die, it's a totally different game," the insider added. "Denise is no longer angry ? she's scared."

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