It has come to my attention that an untimely death has occurred on an United Airlines flight. Three hours before the flight, Simon received a health checkup, before hopping on what was his last flight.
Measuring three-feet long, Simon was expected to outgrow his father Darius, whose length of 4ft 4in made him the world's biggest bunny.
Whom ever decided that he should fly in the cargo hold and not in the cabin, is probably the person who is responsible for his death. United Airlines allows for rabbits to be in the cabin, on US domestic flights, according to their rules. Simon was flying in a pressurized and heated cargo hold, according to the NY Post. This would be much better than being in a non-pressurized and unheated cargo hold but it might not have been enough for this bunny’s life. I wonder if there were noises, sudden movements or smells that might have sent Simon into shock. My other question is, was there food and water available for Simon? If so, was he too afraid to eat and drink? Rabbits have an unique anatomy, where they need to have water and food, especially hay, available at all times. Not having food available could lead to major health problems, see House Rabbit Society article on rabbit gut disorders.
Rabbits can go into shock, from smelling the scent of a predator and that could have been left behind, from previous animal passengers, in the cargo hold. Even Mike Pence and Duncan Hunter knows this.
i don't know who is responsible for Simon’s death. I hope something good comes out of this, that airlines who want to cater to people who own rabbits and want to fly, will make it standard practice to allow them in the cabin. Not all airlines do.