Currently, United has not given any explanation for the turn of events according to a lawyer acting for for the rabbit's buyers who also revealed the possibility of legal action. Des Moines Attorney Guy Cook, representing an Iowa group that bought the continental giant rabbit named Simon, said his clients want details about Simon's death and an explanation of why he was cremated before a necropsy, or post-mortem examination, could be conducted. Mr Cook also claimed that he sent a letter to United on 4 May but never received any meaningful reply other than a confirmation that the matter had been referred to the airline's lawyers.

Potential record breaker

The rabbit was some 3.5 feet long and weighed 20 pounds. Mr Cook said he could have grown to weigh 40 pounds, likely making him larger than Simon's father and the world's biggest rabbit. Simon flew from London's Heathrow Airport to Chicago on April 20 and was supposed to fly an onward leg to Kansas City, Missouri, but he died after landing at O'Hare International Airport.

'Satisfatory solution'

It has been reported that a United spokesman said that the company had reached ‘a satisfactory resolution’ with the rabbit's breeder in the UK -  adding that she was United's customer and had turned down an offer of a post-mortem examination. 

Seeking costs and loss of earnings

However, Mr Cook explained that the group of Des Moines area businessmen who bought Simon had intended to display him at this summer's Iowa State fair. They expected the rabbit to win an award for the largest rabbit, after which the men intended to take Simon to other events and raise money for the fair which is a long fixture in the Iowa calendar and lasts almost two weeks, Mr Cook said. The owners want the costs of buying and transporting the rabbit  - thought to be in the region of $2,300 - as well as future earnings.