CRIME & COURTS

Iowa businessmen sue over giant rabbit's death following United flight

Grant Rodgers
The Des Moines Register

The Iowa owners of a giant rabbit that died in April following a United Airlines flight from London filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the company, accusing the airline of cremating the animal's remains to destroy evidence about what killed him. 

The lawsuit comes after the owners of Simon, a giant continental rabbit, demanded an independent investigation into his death at a news conference in May.

Simon, the 3-foot, 10-month old rabbit that died on a United Airlines flight from London and Chicago.

RELATED: Attorneys: Simon the giant rabbit cremated without permission

Simon, who was expected to surpass his father in length to become the world's largest rabbit, was found dead the morning of April 20 after a flight from London to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago and his body was cremated. The veterinarian who examined the rabbit before its flight to the United States determined Simon was in "good physical condition" and able to travel, according to the lawsuit.

Attorneys representing the rabbit's owners allege that the case is indicative of larger troubles that United Airlines has safely transporting animals. Over the last five years, animal deaths in United Airlines' care have made up one-third of flight-related animal deaths, according to the lawsuit. The suit cites U.S. Department of Transportation data showing that United had the most animal deaths in 2016. 

"The facts show a pattern of wrongful treatment of pets by United Airlines and a cover-up by United regarding the death of Simon," said Guy Cook, a Des Moines attorney representing the ownership group. 

Simon was purchased in April on behalf of Mark Oman, Steve Bruere and Duke Reichardt, three Iowa businessmen who hoped to show the rabbit at the Iowa State Fair and raise money for its Blue Ribbon Foundation. 

The lawsuit seeks to recoup the costs of purchasing and transporting the rabbit from England, as well as punitive damages to punish the airline for its conduct. 

"We were saddened by Simon's death in April," Charles Hobart, a spokesperson for the company said in an email Wednesday. "We have received this complaint and are currently reviewing it."