We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
UNITED AIRLINES HAVE been landed with yet more negative headlines after a giant rabbit died in the hold of one of its planes.
The Sun reported last night that the three-foot rabbit died en route from Heathrow to Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.
The animal, who was named Simon, was being delivered to a new ‘celebrity’ owner, according to his breeder.
“Something very strange has happened and I want to know what,” Annette Edwards, the breeder, told the Sun.
I’ve sent rabbits all around the world and nothing like this has happened before.
United Airlines said in a statement to the BBC:
“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.
We have been in contact with our customer and have offered assistance. We are reviewing this matter.
The airline has been under pressure after a man was dragged off a flight in the US earlier this month, leading to international uproar.
Lawyers for the man in question, Dr David Dao, have said they plan to sue.
The 69-year-old doctor’s representatives said he suffered injury to his sinuses and lost two front teeth in the incident.
United Airlines transported Over 100,000 animals in 2015, according to US Department of Transport figures released in February of this year.
Of that number there were nine deaths and an additional 14 injuries.
‘Simon’ was the son of the world’s biggest rabbit ‘Darius’, also owned by Edwards, the Sun reported.
Giant rabbits can be big business for their owners. Edwards previously told the Daily Mail that Darius had earned £12,000 from being hired out for adverts and TV shows.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Should have travelled by Hare Lingus.
Ok – close the comments section now cos that ain’t gonna be topped.
@Cillian McCormick: United Airlines Rabbit Stew now on menu.
@: Quantas fly kangaroos all the time…..
I used to think cunnilingus was an airline for rabbits.
Sad he didn’t make it to O’Hare
@Séamus Longshanks: this dreadful tragady Bugs United!
United Airlines employee a Mr. Elmer J. Fudd was quoted as saying “I thought I saw a bunny wabbit..!!”
In all fairness rabbits, as prey animals, are very anxious creatures and easily prone to shock. Being transported in a cage on a big aircraft like that could easily scare the bejaysus out of them to the point of heart failure.
@Mark Kenny: I attempted to rescue a rabbit that I found freezing on the lane a few years ago. I put him in a box with a jumper in it and drove about 200 yards to my house. When I opened the box he was dead, I reckon it was the shock of being caught and boxed.
The kids were a little traumatised when I gathered them around the table to show them the cool thing that I had in the box and then opened it to show them a dead rabbit. Father of the year 2014, that’s me.
@Ron North: hahaha!
@Ron North: haha did you marinate it overnight and serve with new potatoes and peas next day?
@Gus Sheridan: oops… meant…marinate overnight in white wine…..
@Ron North: Did they at least enjoy the rabbit stew, its what the rabbit would have wanted….
@Ron North: Ron you should have gone south.
@Mark Kenny: should have given them a passengers seat and removed the passenger. Could have called the rabbit a staff member. Haha
@Ron North: I’d say it was cool if it was dead alright.
@Ron North: What was on the menu for lunch ?
I’m no rabbit expert, but don’t they occasionally die?
People might actually care more about a fecking Rabbit then they did for the human being who was assaulted by United thugs.
@SuzukaYuiMoa:
The individual wasn’t assaulted by any United employees, it was the airport police that removed him from the aircraft
@Nick Allen: Under the instruction of United Airlines.
@Paraic McDonagh:
He was asked to leave by the owners of the aircraft, refused and threatened violence if someone attempted to remove him. Of course they’re going to bring in airport police to physically remove him in that case.
I don’t agree with the circumstances in which he was asked to leave, but he brought the ‘physically dragged off screaming by airport police’ part on himself.
@Paraic McDonagh:
Yes, which means he was not removed from the aircraft by UA employees, exactly the point I was making. Further, he refused to leave voluntarily. I don’t agree with it but the terms of the ticket purchase give UA the right to ask him to leave and he must comply or be physically removed. It was he who chose the latter.
You guys are still blaming the victim?
@Ben McArthur:
If I refuse the order of a private company to get off their property stating that I will need to be physically removed from the property, I am no longer a victim if I need to be physically removed from the property.
You still absolving people from taking responsibility for their actions?
@SuzukaYuiMoa: and rightfully so
@SuzukaYuiMoa: agree 100%.
@Ben McArthur:
You need to read up on the difference between adhering to a contract and breaking a contract. It may be a struggle for you to understand the facts but UA did not break the law nor did they break their contract. They followed the process and policies correctly and it was the airport police which made a mess of the situation. I appreciate you may prefer to go with the tabloid journalism aspect but the facts are what count
@Nick Allen: None of that is true, though, is it? Can you show me where in United’s Contract of Carriage it says that the airline could bump him?
Suppose there’s no warren-ty.
Probably should have taken a short hop flight….
United are in a right stew over this now!
@Gus Sheridan: rabbit stew. Hmm
Easy thumper.
They need to get Bunny Carr PR on this case
Another over booked flight and now they are putting paying passengers in the hold!
O’Hare airport! Gimme a break!! Pmsl!!
in fiarness, Heathrow to Chicago’s O’Hare is not a short hop.
Well done gang, some very witty comments. Lol
It’s just not bunny anymore
Hare-raising tale.
The new Harambe
I believe the rabbit was an aspiring Hip Hop Artist and was very hoptimistic about launching his career in the USA. Sources close to the rabbit say what makes it even sadder is he had just gotten married to his long term partner Warren and they were setting off on their bunnymoon.
He burrowed his way out of the plane
No luck with them rabbits feet.
American airlines will pussy foot around this
@Gerard Walsh: Fail
Should of hopped on a different airline.
Stress?
Sorry to hear of rabbits death but came out with that the person removed from the plane a couple of weeks ago deserved to be dragged off the plane to accommodate their staff. Where are their priorities.
No Easter bunny so .
Did they beat the crap out of him too.
bunny’s were never ment to fly. :(
What’s up Doc?
I’d say the poor little things name came up on the hit list,pulled off by the big ears,it’s an insult offering two carrots.
have your say