Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Simon The Giant Rabbit Dies After United Flight To O'Hare

By Kelly Bauer | April 26, 2017 8:40am | Updated on April 26, 2017 10:41am
 Simon the Giant Rabbit died on a flight from London to Chicago.
Simon the Giant Rabbit died on a flight from London to Chicago.
View Full Caption
provided

CHICAGO — A rabbit who was expected to become the largest in the world died on a United flight to O'Hare on Tuesday.

Simon was "fit as a fiddle" during a checkup just hours before the flight from Britain to Chicago, his breeder, Annette Edwards, told the Sun. Yet the rabbit, who had a shot at being the world's largest once he was fully grown, was found dead of "unexplained circumstances" after the flight, according to USAToday.

"We were saddened to hear this news. The safety and well being of all the animals that travel with us is of the utmost importance to United Airlines and our PetSafe team," United said in an emailed statement. "We have been in contact with our customer and have offered assistance. We are reviewing this matter."

Simon was already 3 feet long at just 10 months old, according to the Sun, and he was coming through Chicago while going to a new owner. His father, Darius, holds the world record for the longest rabbit at 4 feet, 4 inches long and weighs a reported 50 pounds.

The animal died in the cargo section sometime after takeoff, the Sun reported. The airline said pet owners are required to get a health certificate from a veterinarian within 10 days of a pet's flight.

Edwards' website says her rabbits are sold throughout the world and receive a "full health examination" by a veterinarian to ensure they can fly on an airplane.

Some 35 animals died in transit on 17 airlines in 2015, the Associated Press reported, citing the most recent government statistics. United accounted for 14 deaths; it transported nearly 100,000.

Animal rights group PETA decried what happened to Simon, saying he'd been "failed" by his breeder and by United Airlines.

"This rabbit's death is not unique — more than 300 animals have died in cargo holds since 2005, and many more have been injured or lost," the organization said in a statement. "PETA urges United to join JetBlue and Southwest in prohibiting companion animals from being flown as checked baggage in the confusion, noise, extreme temperatures and improper pressurization of a cargo hold."

United has been under intense scrutiny since videos showed a man, David Dao, being dragged off the flight by security while bleeding. Dao was asked to leave so flight crew could have a spot on the packed plane, United contended, but the doctor insisted he had to be on the flight from Chicago to Louisville to see patients the next day.

Dao and his attorney have taken steps toward a lawsuit against United.