Dead Giant Rabbit On United Flight Creates New Problem For Airline

When it comes to public relations disasters, United Airlines appears to be subscribing to the philosophy of "go big or go home." Even as officials continue to investigate an incident involving a United passenger who was violently dragged from a flight at O'Hare International Airport earlier this month, the Chicago-based airline finds itself caught in another awkward and potentially damaging media fiasco following the death of a rabbit poised to be the world's largest aboard a trans-Atlantic flight.

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Simon — a 3-foot Continental Giant that experts thought would outgrow his record-setting, 4-foot 4-inch father to become the world's largest rabbit — died while traveling in the cargo hold of a United Boeing 767 from London's Heathrow Airport to O'Hare, according to NBC News. The animal was flying to the United States to be delivered to an unnamed celebrity who had purchased the rabbit, The Associated Press reports. Annette Edward, Simon's breeder, told NBC that the new owner was "very upset."

Edwards told the AP on Wednesday that the 10-month-old rabbit had been checked out by a veterinarian right before the flight and "was fit as a fiddle." United is now investigating the death, and Edwards said the carrier was checking closed-circuit camera images for clues, the report stated.

The airline released the following statement after learning of Simon's death, according to NBC:

"We were saddened to hear this news. The safety and wellbeing 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."

Edwards, however, told NBC that no one from United has contacted her as of Wednesday.

In 2016, United's level of animal deaths and injuries was the second-highest among U.S. airlines, the AP reports. According to the Department of Transportation, 2.11 per 10,000 animals died or were hurt while flying with the carrier, the report stated. Hawaiian Airlines had the highest level in 2016 at 3.99, the report added.

The airline also had the highest number of animal deaths and injuries for U.S. airlines last year with nine animals dying and 14 hurt on flights, according to the AP. For comparison, Alaska Airlines transported 112,281 animals — the most among U.S. carriers and ahead of United's 109,149 — but only reported two deaths and one injury, the report added.

Patch's United Flight 3411 Coverage:

Passenger Was 'Aggressive'; Aviation Cops Used 'Minimal But Necessary Force': Incident Report: Records concerning the events of flight 3411 claim Dr. David Dao was combative with officers before being removed from the plane.

Chicago Lawyer In Passenger-Dragging Will Represent American Airlines Customer:Attorney Thomas Demetrio said both incidents illustrate the unfair treament customers receveive from airlines during a TV interview Monday.

Passenger Dragged From Flight Suffered Concussion, Broken Nose: VIDEO: A lawsuit likely after United forced a doctor off the plane to "re-accommodate" him so an airline employee could take his seat.

United's Image Takes Online Beating In Memes, Comments: Social media reaction to video footage of a passenger being dragged from a full flight Sunday night has been swift and merciless.

United's image had already suffered a major body blow this month after video of Dr. David Dao being pulled from a flight went viral across social media, creating a storm of outrage directed at the airline. Dao, 69, was one of four people randomly chosen to be bumped April 9 from the Chicago-to-Louisville flight so that airline employees could fly. Dao was forcibly dragged down the plane's aisle by the Chicago Aviation Police when he refused to give up his seat. He told the officers that he needed get home because he had patients to see the next day.

Dao was bloodied in the incident and suffered a "significant concussion" and a broken nose, as well as losing two teeth, according to his lawyer, high-profile Chicago attorney Thomas Demetrio. A lawsuit against the airline is forthcoming, Demetrio has said.

Recently released records and recordings of the incident claimed Dao "responded repeatedly in an aggressive manner" when he was asked to give up his seat and that officers used "minimal but necessary force" in the situation.

More via NBC News and The Associated Press

Photo by Justin Sullivan | Getty Images News | Getty Images

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