Slaughterhouse won't process Oatmeal the blind steer

FORT WORTH, Texas - Oatmeal the blind steer sold at auction from the Fort Worth Stock Show will not be processed.

The company Kane Beef posted that message Friday on social media. A release from the stock show indicates the steer will be donated to Texas A&M University for research.

A 13-year-old North Texas girl raised Oatmeal. Her family was proud of her being able to show him and sell him despite the fact that he was born with cataracts and can't see.

But soon afterward she started getting nasty messages from animal activists who didn't agree.

They started an online campaign to save Oatmeal from slaughter and allow him to live out his life in a sanctuary. The activists raised about $10,000 before the fundraising page was shut down.

The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo had released a statement earlier in the week saying Oatmeal would not be released and that all young livestock show exhibitors know the animals they raise will someday enter the food system.

The tone softened on Friday.

"This arrangement furthers the Stock Show's mission of educating tomorrow's leaders in the livestock and food industry," said FWSSR Vice President Charlie Geren. "We're excited about what can be learned about the health and well-being of cattle and perhaps provide the beef industry with valuable information related to cattle care and handling for the future."