Sam Simon, co-creator of The Simpsons, has stepped in to save a seemingly gay Irish bull from the slaughterhouse. A campaign supported by The Simpsons man saved 'Benjy' the bull, whose failure to inseminate a herd of cows, rendered him useless on his County Mayor farm.

The SimpsonsSam Simon created The Simpsons with Matt Groening and James L. Brooks

A story in a local newspaper alerted animal rights groups and a gay magazine and Benjy was rescued from the abattoir.

More than 250 people donated money to buy the bull from its owner, among them was Simon, whose £5,000 proved decisive. 

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"All animals have a dire destiny in the meat trade, but to kill this bull because he's gay would've been a double tragedy," said Simon, a philanthropist and animal activist as well as creator of the world's most successful animated TV comedy.

SimpsonsThe Simpsons is the greatest animated TV show of all time, though Simon is also a philantropist and activist

Benjy will now be transferred to the Hillside Animal Sanctuary in England next month, however, donations are still welcome. 

ARAN (Animal Rights Action Network) spokesman John Carmody told supporters that any extra funds would help the sanctuary with its work.

"What could be better than to present Benjy with a Christmas gift that will literally last a lifetime, by giving him a one-way ticket to freedom," he said.

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Simon was diagnosed with terminal colorectal cancer in 2012, which later metastasized to his liver and kidneys. The writer, producer and director has already arranged for his estimated $100 million fortune to be left to various charitable causes, telling the Hollywood Reporter, "The truth is, I have more money than I'm interested in spending. Everyone in my family is taken care of. And I enjoy this."