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Eva Longoria and Alyssa Milano are among the stars supporting an online petition calling for harsher penalties for animal abusers.

The actresses were appalled to read about a New Jersey woman who has been charged with torturing her pit bull puppy after allegedly starving thedog and leaving him for dead, and they're backing calls for more severe punishment for people convicted of hurting animals.

Everyone check this out! Thx!, while Milano adds, If you you love animals, please consider signing this

The Desperate Housewives star has posted the petition link on her Twitter.com page, telling her followers, "Everyone check this out! Thx!", while Milano adds, "If you you love animals, please consider signing this".

Dexter star Julie Benz writes on her page on the site, "Please sign... Will You Support Harsher Penalties For Animal Abuse? Need 5,000 signatures lets make a difference together!" and Eliza Dushku backs her pal's calls for action, adding "RT (re-tweet) for my girl Julie Benz".

SOURCE: FIRST FEMAIL.CO.UK