Actor James Cromwell arrested for protesting cat experiments

The Oscar-nominated actor and PETA activist burst into a University of Wisconsin Board of Regents meeting to accuse the school of carrying out cruel experiments on cats.

Cromwell was holding up large poster of a cat, which appeared to have a metal clamp implanted in its head, and shouting.

PETA uploaded video of the incident to YouTube and claims the university's experiments on cats aimed at helping the deaf are cruel and have not been successful, the Hollywood Reporter said.

"As many as 30 cats a year at UW have had holes drilled in their skulls. They are deafened, starved for days at a time and then decapitated. This is not science. This is torture. And it is criminal," Cromwell said in the video.

A representative for the actor confirmed that he was taken into custody by police and has since been released.

Cromwell was joined in the protest by PETA spokesman Jeremy Beckham, according to TMZ, which reports that Cromwell was escorted out of the room in handcuffs.

Following the protest, the director of the UW¿Madison Research Animal Resources Center, released a statement lambasting PETA's claims.

"Today's events are just another attempt by outside activists to draw attention to a cause. They have attacked and distorted this research -- which has very real benefits for people who are deaf -- from every angle imaginable."

He said that "exhaustive independent investigation by the USDA, which regulates the use of animals in research, concluded that PETA's allegations are baseless."

Cromwell's most notable films include 'Babe', 'LA Confidential' and 'The Green Mile'. He played a loyal driver in last year's best Oscar picture 'The Artist'.

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