United Investigates Rabbit Death Aboard Flight
Joe Cortez April 26, 2017
Giant rabbit was expected to surpass records for world’s largest bunny.
More bad luck comes to United Airlines after reporting the death of a continental giant rabbit aboard one of their flights from the United Kingdom to Chicago. BBC News reports the airline confirmed the death of “Simon,” the 10-month-old bunny, while in their care.
The four-legged flyer was aboard a United flight departing from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). Hours before taking his first and final flight, his breeder says Simon was given a veterinary checkup and had a clean bill of health. However, somewhere in transit, Simon died in the cargo hold.
“Something very strange has happened and I want to know what,” breeder Annette Edwards told The Sun. “I’ve sent rabbits all around the world and nothing like this has happened before.”
The breeder speculated that Simon could have surpassed his father’s record as being the world’s largest rabbit, held by another rabbit bred by Edwards. Although not recognized as a formal breed by the American Rabbit Breeder’s Association, these large lagomorphs can grow over four feet long and weigh up to 50 pounds, with an expected lifespan of five years.
In a statement to BBC, United acknowledged the rabbit’s death in transit and promised an investigation. They have also “offered assistance” to the owner of the rabbit, identified only as a “celebrity.”
[Photo: CATERS NEWS]
It should also be pointed out that over half the pets that die in transit in the US skies are on United Airlines. That's more than a coincidence there.