POULTNEY, Vt. (AP) -- An ox that lived on a Vermont college's farm and was put down amid an outcry over the school's decision to process it into meat will be not used for food.

Green Mountain College says that euthanizing the animal made the meat inedible. It also says because the ox was receiving medication for an injury, the meat was not fit for human consumption.

The 11-year-old ox, named Lou, and another ox were retired this summer from the college's farm. The school had planned to turn them into beef to be served in the dining hall in keeping with its emphasis on sustainable agriculture.

But animal rights activists had wanted the oxen spared and found a sanctuary for them.

The college says the other ox will stay at the farm.

Copyright 2012 The AP.