The Latest: United reached resolution with rabbit's breeder
By Associated Press
May 8, 2017 12:53 PM CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Latest on questions being raised by the owners of a giant rabbit that died after it was flown from the United Kingdom to Chicago (all times local):

12:45 p.m.

A United Airlines spokesman says it has reached a satisfactory resolution with the breeder in Britain of a giant rabbit that died after flying from the United Kingdom to Chicago.

The airline declined to comment Monday on a threat of legal action from the new owners of Simon the rabbit, who live in Iowa.

An attorney for the owners says the new owners are troubled that he was cremated without a necropsy, or post-mortem examination, soon after his death April 20. Attorney Guy Cook says he sent a letter to United Airlines last week but hasn't heard back.

United spokesman Charles Hobart says United reached a resolution with breeder Annette Edwards, who was United's customer and is based in Worcestershire, England. He says she declined United's offer of a necropsy.

Hobart declined to comment on the letter sent by Cook.

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10:50 a.m.

The owners of a giant rabbit that died after flying from the United Kingdom to Chicago want to know more about the animal's death and an explanation of why he was so quickly cremated.

Attorney Guy Cook said Monday that the owners of the rabbit, named Simon, are troubled that he was cremated without an autopsy, soon after his death April 20. Cook says he sent a letter to United Airlines last week but hasn't heard back.

Simon had been expected to grow to become the world's largest rabbit. Cook says the buyers had planned to enter Simon at the Iowa State Fair and display him at later events to raise money for the fair.

The owners are seeking the costs of buying and transporting the rabbit and future earnings.