Cat has hurt the postman - help!

[rainbowsweets]

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.

This isn't the case nowadays.

Owners must have their dogs under control on private property as well as out in public.

No they are not. The animal drew blood. Help was totally appropriate. Prompt washing with soapy water, an antibacterial wipe and cream and a plaster can make quite a difference.

This was 2019, has it changed since then?

⬆️ this.

I think you should get in trouble for not offering the postman to come in and wash his hands in hot, soapy water and offer a plaster and a cup of tea. Write to the sorting office an apologise. Then get a cage for your post so the cat can't reach the postman's hand.

Thankngoodness Jess was better behaved.

I thought postmen/women were told not to put their actual hands in the letterbox

@SoCentralRain , cats can easily get their paws through most letterbox openings and therefore a hand that is even close to the opening can be scratched. This quite likely happened without the postie putting his hand in the letterbox.

I don't know how many times the OP has to explain why she did nothing at the time. I totally get it.

OP, I would definitely try to contact your local sorting office - even a couple of days after the event is better than not contacting them at all.

Get some insurance for starters!

Really? That wouldn't negate op's liability

Scratches can leave you bloody.

My DH is a postie and has had a few cat scratches/ bites. He usually brushes it off and carries on as normal- he said some cats are just so quick, literally waiting at the letterbox for him. He doesn’t push his hand through, but the cats still try to go for him. He has just learnt to remember those houses 😂 as PP said, dog bites (after being chased) are worse and he has had some horrible ones over the years! I would suggest speaking to whichever postie you see next and ask them to pass a message on apologising- I’m sure they will know who it is. And the letter bag is a good idea 👍🏼

I'm a lawyer in a department where we handle many animal related civil claims.

It's possible they may try to make a claim. If you don't have pet insurance then your household insurance likely to cover any such claims.

It's not true that a person is not responsible for the actions of a cat. You just tend to hear less about it than say dog bites or people trampled by cattle as injuries inflicted by cats tend to be much less severe.

Relevant legislation is Animals Act 1971.

Would highly recommend a cage for your post box so you don't have to worry about shutting the cat in and the postie can do their job without getting attacked. They're pretty cheap.

Yes it does seem strange in this age of 'health and safety" hyper-awareness.

Houses have been deliberately set on fire by stuff put through the letter box and pranksters put lit fireworks through. My neighbour's toddler found a bag of dog poo on the doormat one morning.

US system of mail boxes outside the house seems much safer.

Another here with a family member who is a postie. Most see it as an occupational hazard.

They’re given a red ruler size piece of plastic to use to push the letters through your door, rather than putting their hand in. I’m guessing they’re told to use that rather than their hand to prevent such incidents.

I think if you rang RM it would make you seem more awful as you were there, witnessed it and ignored it. Probably best to pretend you know nothing about it and apologise like mad if they write to you about it.

@ILookAtTheFloor it changed way before then so your brother wasn't given good advice.

I ended up on 3 rounds of antibiotics and cellulitus aswell as seeing a nurse to get the wound packed and dressed every couple of days. My boy is an indoor cat, never been outside but he was protecting his home from a cat outdoors. Still have the scar on my shin.

Poor postie! I too am a bit shocked you didn't offer him a bit of help. I know it's just a cat scratch (although my dad actually ended up in intensive care with an awful infection from a cat scratch!!!) but I'd have at least apologised profusely and offered to let him wash his hands.
My friends dog snapped at a postman delivering on their farm and the PO refused to deliver anymore through the door. Friend installed a lockable postbox outside.

Doesn't matter - I was bitten by my cat when I first got him home from an animal shelter. He'd been there for a while and had all the treatments...

I was in hospital on IV antibiotics as the infection was tracking up my arm!

Yep. I ended up in a and e with a cat bite and was prescribed a course of antibiotics.

They can refuse to deliver post to your house if they wanted. Then you have to collect it from the depot.

If a pipe burst and water came down over your head while you were on a call you would end the call?

Yes?

So if you hear and see someone injured in or around your house even if it is someone from the window you end the call and help.

@ILookAtTheFloor

www.nawt.org.uk/news/changes-to-the-dangerous-dog-act-advice-for-owners/

Of course you should have gone out to see what had happened. How utterly appalling that you were responsible for this persons injuries and didnt think it was important enough to see if they were ok.

Go round to the sorting office. Tell them this!