The mystery surrounding the death of Simon the giant rabbit on a United flight continues. Simon's main owners are some of Iowa's most prominent businessmen:
- Retired Wells Fargo executive Mark Oman
- People's Co. president Steve Breure
- Benning Financial partner Duke Reichardt
They bought Simon to compete in the Iowa State Fair's big rabbit competition.
Simon was 3-feet-long and still growing, and was the son of Darius, the world's largest rabbit.
Des Moines trial attorney Guy Cook announced at a press conference yesterday that the owners are demanding an investigation into Simon's death.
Cook says that Simon may have been locked in a freezer by mistake for up to 16 hours before arriving on a flight to Chicago from London.
United denied the claim that the rabbit was accidentally frozen.
United spokesman Charles Hobart in an email:
"The assertion that Simon died in a freezer is false. He was cared for by the United PetSafe kennel facility. He arrived at Chicago O'Hare airport in apparent good condition at 10:25 am (local time). He was seen by a representative of the kennel facility moving about within his crate about 11 a.m. Shortly thereafter, a kennel representative noticed Simon was motionless and that he had passed away.".
Simon's owners want United to pay for his purchase, shipping costs, and "economic loss." They also are threatening a lawsuit if United doesn't respond within seven days.