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. And get a cage to catch the letters.

Our postie recently stuck a stack of wrong (I assume) mail through and came back and put her arm through to retrieve it 🤣

Throwing stones at me now doesn't really help the situation as it stands. I am asking for advice about what to do now, not for everyone to pile on and make me feel worse. What does that achieve

I technically should not have even left my desk during the work call, wfh doesn't mean I can do household things and slot work in, it means I have to be as I am in the office.

This was an emergency 🙄

Have you got anywhere to put an outside post box?
I have one mounted outside my front door as it's a stupid stable door

Some properties can't have post boxes outside the property due to leading straight onto the street.

UK properties really vary in design due how old they can be , and who they were originally built for.

No, they require a wash with soap. If it looks sore after a few days, he can have it looked at but it’s unlikely, especially if he’s washed his hands! “Very often” my arse, you think cat owners go in for weekly rounds of antibiotics?

”Getting hurt” ahahahahahahhaaaaaaaa

Absolutely

Why do you treat your cat for parasites every month if it's in indoor cat? It's not going to be picking anything up indoors.

The vet said he should still be treated as fleas can be brought in the house via human's clothes etc

Oh god, so much drama! OP is not "appalling" to have continued a work call and the postman won't die of sepsis because a cat scratched him ffs. I expect he'll go home, put a plaster on and resolve not to put his hands through letterboxes in future, which is probably something he's trained not to do in any case. Anyone who would really go to their local sorting office with "tea, coffee and biscuits" has way too much time on their hands. Just get some kind of box or basket for your post and move on, OP - and get off mumsnet, you're supposed to be working!

Catch up with Postie when you next can.
An apology note, some wine or gift and money for his medical inconvenience is what I would have ready.

A sign on the letter box or door about scratchy cat is also needed.
Postie would be able to obtain time off from his employer, due to work place injury, should he need to.

In all likihood the injury looked worse than it was and no stitches would be needed however you should advise Postie to be vigilant checking for infection.

I think people are fuelling your anxiety OP.

The postman will undoubtedly shrug this off as an annoying risk of the job. You’ve taken steps to avoid it happening again. Put it behind you.

If you were able to leave the call to check the commotion you were able to check he was ok, all this flim flam about not leaving your desk is hogwash because you already left your desk.

You just didn’t want to check on him. You can use your anxiety or your work as an excuse but that’s all it is, you let your animal attack someone and literally just stood there and did nothing. If you hit someone with your car would you just drive off and claim anxiety? Doubtful.

There is no point in trying to pass across an apology, you should have done that there and then, and let’s face it, if you couldn’t approach the person injured you’re not going to sit on hold, going through multiple people to apologise.

I also don’t know why you’ve decided to order a flimsy cloth bag, cats nails will go through it and it’ll likely just see something new to play with / attack. Get an outside box so the poor postman doesn’t have to risk your savage animal again. Honestly if this was a dog you wouldn’t be getting any nice replies, cat owners are a law unto themselves.

Don't worry Op, these things happen. I would think this is an occupational hazard with being a postie! Although cat bites/scratches can be nasty, in the worst case he'll need antibiotics; I speak from experience here, as have had several 'biters'. You'll be fine if you take measures to prevent it from happening again.

You should still treat them regardless - indoor cats can escape or pick up bugs from other pets or from you.

I didn't 'let' my cat injure someone, it was over before I could stop him.

I can't put up an outside box but I suppose I will have to keep the cat shut away from the front door all morning in future in addition to the post bag.

I think the fact that you didn't even attempt to help him is disgusting.

I would absolutely expect him to report it. Cat scratches can be really quite nasty.

You'll get a letter threatening to stop deliveries if you don't make it safe for the postie. We got a letterbox cage and put a note up apologising and explaining we'd put a cage up.

You can't expect someone to just put up with getting injured at work.

Cats whistle to their own tune. Maybe the postie was waggling them about suggestively and assumed it play? Does the cat have form for attacking humans generally?

You really should have ended the call and gone to his assistance. WFH is no excuse.

If you were in the office and someone collapsed beside you would you leave them there because you were on a call?

I cannot believe your utter callous selfishness.

If somebody is wandering around bleeding outside your office having just been injured there, the expectation is for you to ignore them?! I don't want to work where you work.

Ah OP, my old cat did this! Was really surprising and seemingly came out of no where.

I would put a note on the door warning posties that there is a cat and to be careful when putting mail in.
I would also speak to the postie tomorrow/Monday, even if it is a different person. Perhaps ask him if he knows who worked that route on Friday because you want to pass on your apologies and check if he's okay. At the very least, the other postie will know that you care!

My brother used to deliver newspapers (I had to go with him sometimes) and between angry cats and noisy dogs (not to mention the people who would be cross if the paper was late), it was brutal.