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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Cat has hurt the postman - help!

312 replies

rainbowsweets · 11/08/2023 10:40

Apologies as I have already posted this to the litter tray but I need quick advice as in a bit of a state right now.

I heard a bit of a commotion when the post was delivered this morning. I found the cat hanging on to the letterbox, and looked outside to see the postman with a bloody hand. So the cat scratched/attacked him when he was putting the letter through.

I couldn't go out as I was on a work call, but I feel very guilty and worried. I feel bad for him, but I don't know what to do - do I call RM and apologise?

Could I be in trouble for the cat's actions? Or can the cat be in trouble or PTS for being vicious?

I will have to lock him away from the door every morning I suppose (if they don't cancel the delivery) as I don't think a cage will fit on the door to shield the letters.

Advice appreciated.

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BertieBotts · 11/08/2023 11:04

I'd buy an external post box and put up a sign.

As others have said, cat bites need medical attention due to the bacteria in a cat's mouth. It doesn't matter if that is an indoor cat or not.

Busubaba · 11/08/2023 11:04

Put a 'Beware of the cat' sign above the letterbox and then the postman can be careful when he puts letters through.

Original poster
rainbowsweets · 11/08/2023 11:04

Yes I should have stopped call and gone out but I froze and didn't know what to do /in shock. Yes I didn't the wrong thing and should have gone out but I can't turn back time and now I'm wondering what to do to fix this. I do suffer from social anxiety and confrontation (plus he looked angry so I didn't want a fight with no witnesses) so maybe that held me back but I know that isn't an excuse in this situation.

OP posts:
Original poster
rainbowsweets · 11/08/2023 11:05

GabriellaMontez · 11/08/2023 11:04

You carried on working..?

Would it have killed you to stop, apologise and perhaps offer a plaster?

Did he see you looking, then ignore him?

What kind of injury would you stop for?

I don't have any plasters (that's not my excuse btw, I'm just adding that). I have explained my reasons but I know it's not an excuse but I can't turn back time, what do I do now is my problem!

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Balloonhearts · 11/08/2023 11:06

If it makes him ill or is infected then yes he could technically sue for compensation. Does your home insurance not have legal cover for things like this?

If there's no major harm done, they'll likely just send a letter to the effect of if it happens again, they will no longer deliver to your property and you'll just have to collect your post regularly.

Original poster
rainbowsweets · 11/08/2023 11:06

RoseBucket · 11/08/2023 11:01

Do you have a number for the local sorting /collection office? Did he see you looking,

It's only a National number. Do I call that? The sorting office closes at 10

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BertieBotts · 11/08/2023 11:06

I had a paper round as a teenager, most letterboxes you have to put your hand in as they won't open with the force of just a letter. A newspaper is sturdy enough for some but some you have to hold open even for papers!

LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 11/08/2023 11:06

I would try to see if you can speak to the postman himself tomorrow. Apologise and tell him about the Velcro bag that is now on order.

Try not to panic. Your cat will not be PTS. The worst that will happen is you get a letter from RM.

It would have been better to stop the work call and go and attend to the postman. But we all make wrong judgment calls at times in stressful situations. Do try to seek him out and apologise though.

Saisong · 11/08/2023 11:07

Can you put up a note on the door tomorrow, apologising and asking him to knock so you can talk about it?

Cucucucu · 11/08/2023 11:08

You cannot get in trouble , I had a very anti social cat a few years ago we got us into trouble , attacked neighbour’s dog if they as much came in our front lawn , chased 2 horses when they had to cross out drive , scratched any child that tried to touch her … etc etc etc .
I suggest you maybe put the cat inside at the time the post comes maybe to avoid further issues . If it keeps happening the postman can and will refuse to deliver your post .

PhantomUnicorn · 11/08/2023 11:08

I'd consider a 'beware of cat' sign for the door. Try and catch him tomorrow, apologise, ask if he is ok, then tell him that you're taking measures.

But no insurance? Really. That's kind of irresponsible.

Thatbloodyhedge · 11/08/2023 11:08

Blondewithredlips · 11/08/2023 10:58

I am disgusted that you carried on with a work call. What kind of person does that? Surely telling the person on the call what had happened was enough to allow you to help postie?

😂😂

MonumentalLentil · 11/08/2023 11:09

Cat scratches and bites should be washed immediately with soap and water. If you see the postman have a word and check he is OK.

I had similar with our new security letterbox, it is violent and will take off fingers if they manage to get through. I offered to get our postie a wooden spatula to push stuff through, maybe try that?

Attaching a strong bag to the door might help but cat could hang off it and bite through. A sign that says Beware of the Cat?

Or confine the cat to a different part of the house until post has arrived if you are home.

Original poster
rainbowsweets · 11/08/2023 11:09

Saisong · 11/08/2023 11:07

Can you put up a note on the door tomorrow, apologising and asking him to knock so you can talk about it?

I think it's a different person everyday - I have never seen this person before.

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Cucucucu · 11/08/2023 11:09

Balloonhearts · 11/08/2023 11:06

If it makes him ill or is infected then yes he could technically sue for compensation. Does your home insurance not have legal cover for things like this?

If there's no major harm done, they'll likely just send a letter to the effect of if it happens again, they will no longer deliver to your property and you'll just have to collect your post regularly.

He cannot , cats are allowed to roam , not like dogs who need to be under owners control .

Quitelikeit · 11/08/2023 11:09

Op

I cannot believe that your animal attacked someone and you did nothing to help the victim!

At the very least tomorrow morning you need to go out and apologise profusely for your reaction.

Im not sure how you saw his bloody hand if you didn’t actually see him?

GoodChat · 11/08/2023 11:12

That's why posties shouldn't put their hands through letter boxes.

I wouldn't phone them because the message wont get back to him anyway.

Original poster
rainbowsweets · 11/08/2023 11:12

Quitelikeit · 11/08/2023 11:09

Op

I cannot believe that your animal attacked someone and you did nothing to help the victim!

At the very least tomorrow morning you need to go out and apologise profusely for your reaction.

Im not sure how you saw his bloody hand if you didn’t actually see him?

When did I say I didn't see him? It was from the window.

We don't have the same person everyday and I've never seen him before so it probably won't be him tomorrow. I don't know whether to call the National line ?

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NK77 · 11/08/2023 11:13

Personally I would nab the postman tomorrow with a bottle of something and some biscuits or chocolates and apologise until I was blue in the face.
Even if it's not the same postman I would ensure that the apologies were passed on + biscs.

& anti-cat the letterbox ASAP.

Blondewithredlips · 11/08/2023 11:13

Thatbloodyhedge · 11/08/2023 11:08

😂😂

Show quote history

@Thatbloodyhedge there is nothing funny about doing nothing about postie and then having time to come onto MN as worried about consequences of inaction.

Ladyj84 · 11/08/2023 11:14

Postie's have to go for a tetanus and check up if they get attacked by any animal while posting letters. And knowing you saw what happened and did not pause your work call is pretty shameful tbh the least you could have done is checked he was ok

CeciliaMars · 11/08/2023 11:14

My dog did this last year. We got a very long letter from Royal Mail, saying we needed to sign something saying we'd keep our dog under control, or else they'd have to deliver our letters to an alternative address. We have to be very careful now with the dog when we open the door, as although she's a softy old cockapoo, she really doesn't like postmen!

Kernsworld · 11/08/2023 11:15

I don’t believe a grown adult doesn’t have a first aid kit. You just didn’t want to open the door and face any of it.

The guy won’t be able to clean his hand properly, won’t have a disinfectant with him and won’t be able to cover the cut if it was a bad bite.

You carried on your work call? Unbelievable.

Sweepies · 11/08/2023 11:16

My partner is a postie and this happens often, honestly he's probably just grateful it wasn't a dog bite! It may be a good idea to call the local office and apologise as I know posties will sometimes avoid houses where pet incidents have happened. Unlikely, as it's a cat rather than a dog but you never know and I'm sure they'd appreciate your effort. Regardless, your pet won't be PTS and you won't face legal action so don't worry about that.

Original poster
rainbowsweets · 11/08/2023 11:18

Kernsworld · 11/08/2023 11:15

I don’t believe a grown adult doesn’t have a first aid kit. You just didn’t want to open the door and face any of it.

The guy won’t be able to clean his hand properly, won’t have a disinfectant with him and won’t be able to cover the cut if it was a bad bite.

You carried on your work call? Unbelievable.

Okay thanks, I know I was wrong but chastising me does nothing after the fact. I'm asking about what i can do not what can I do if I have a Time Machine.

Never used a first aid kit in my life

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