Maude Waves Animal Rights Banner

[Brett Ferino]

PORT ORANGE, Fla. (AP) - An animal rights organization is receiving help from actress Bea Arthur in its criticism of animal research conducted by an area chiropractic school.

Dozens of employees at the three campuses of the Palmer Chiropractic University System received taped telephone messages Thursday from the star of former television shows "The Golden Girls" and "Maude."

Arthur said in the recordings that the Davenport, Iowa-based Palmer "mutilates" cats and asked its employees to oppose the school's chiropractic research. The calls were made on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

PETA's Web site urges supporters to contact Palmer officials. Employees at Palmer College of Chiropractic Florida, the branch in Port Orange, said PETA's campaign has led to dozens of "abusive" letters, e-mail messages and phone calls.

"It's outrageous. (PETA) encourages people to call and harass us," Palmer spokesman Randy Heuston said in a telephone interview Friday. "They have placed their philosophy of animal rights above medical, chiropractic health care progress."