Gay bull in Ireland saved by Simpsons co-creator

CASTLEBAR, Ireland, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- He's not quite Ferdinand, the pacifist bull from children's literature, but Ireland's not studly "gay bull" Benjy has been saved from slaughter by the co-creator of The Simpsons.

The County Mayo Charolais wasn't doing the dirty with his owner's cows and no little hoofed ones were on the way. The farmer, who recently purchased Benjy, is convinced the animal is gay because he preferred mating with bulls instead of cows. Benjy was headed for hamburger buns.

The Animal Rights Action Network and TheGayUK magazine took on Benjy's cause and hoped to save the bull by purchasing him for $8,000 and moving him to an English animal sanctuary.

When PETA heard of the bull's plight, members contacted long-time animal lover Sam Simon of Simpson's fame. Simon was diagnosed two years ago with colon cancer and has vowed to give away his $100 million fortune to charity, so he was happy to come up with the bucks.

"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 lifetime vegan, in a statement. "It thrills me to help PETA and ARAN make Benjy's fate a sanctuary rather than a sandwich."

So it's strawberry fields forever for Benjy, who will be transported to his new home next month.

But the story doesn't end there. Tweeters can't stop with the jokes on Twitter.