Simpsons co-creator Sam Simon helps save Benjy the gay bull

BENJY failed to mate with any of the cows in his farm, and was destined for slaughter. But now a very generous donation has literally saved his hide.

Benjy the bull walks in a field in Couny Mayo Ireland on Sunday Nov. 2, 2014. Benjy faced execution for failure to perform. But Benjy, the gay bull of Ireland, has been saved following a worldwide appeal backed by “The Simpsons” co-creator Sam Simon. Ireland’s Animal Rights Action Network said Tuesday that Simon is paying for Benjy’s transportation to an animal sanctuary in England. Simon, who is battling colon cancer, has been giving away much of the fortune from his television career and is a leading donor to animal welfare causes. Benjy, a Charlerois bull, failed this year to impregnate any heifers at a County Mayo farm in western Ireland. Veterinarians determined he was fertile, but was more attracted to the bull that replaced him. (AP Photo/Joanna McNicholas)

A “GAY” bull has been saved from slaughter after the terminally ill co-creator of The Simpsons donated thousands towards its rescue.

Benjy, a Charolais in Ireland, was being fattened for the butcher after his farmer owner complained he was not sexually interested in cows.

His plight came to the attention of animal activists, who said he was more interested in bulls, last week through a local newspaper report.

After launching a fundraising drive to save Benjy, Sam Simon, the Hollywood producer behind The Simpsons and other hit comedy series like Cheers and Taxi, stumped up the STG5000 ($A9130) needed to buy the bull.

LAST WISHES: Simpsons co-creator giving away his huge fortune

Dying ... The cancer-stricken Mr Simon (left) is giving away his giant fortune before he dies. (Photo by Araya Diaz/Getty Images for Mercy for Animals)

Mr Simon, who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, has vowed to use his $US100 million ($A108 million) fortune to help animal causes before he dies.

“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,” he said.

A lifelong vegan, Simon said he felt compelled to act and was thrilled that Benjy’s fate was now “a sanctuary rather than a sandwich”.

The bull will be transported to the Hillside Animal Sanctuary in the UK in time for Christmas where he can “live out his natural life with peace and dignity”, activists said. PA aro