Couple stop receiving Christmas mail after cat 'bit postman': ‘I thought it was a wind-up!’
Dave Ward discusses the royal mail takeover on GB News
GB News
A couple has stopped receiving their Christmas post from Royal Mail after a postman claimed their cat bit them.
Alastair and Lucy Humphreys, from Great Cornard, Suffolk, received a letter stating that in order to “safeguard the health and safety of staff”, no post would be delivered to their home.
Royal Mail said that until a cage or bag is fitted around the inside of their letterbox, this “exceptional step” would remain in place.
The couple first believed the letter to be a joke, however, Alastair soon checked with the local Royal Mail office and was dismayed to learn that the message was legitimate.
When the couple asked for proof of the injury, he claimed that Royal Mail were unable to provide it
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They would now have to collect their post up from the local delivery office until the adaptations were put in place.
The Humphreys own two large Maine Coon cats - three-year-old Peanut and 18-month-old Garfiled - but they do not know which pet is responsible for the attack.
Alastair told The Telegraph: “They are a docile breed which are slightly bigger than normal cats with long fluffy hair, and I have never known them to bite or scratch anyone.”
He also said their letterbox is always being stuffed with mail, and the most the cats would do is go over to investigate.
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The couple are not sure which of their two Maine Coon cats (not pictured) attacked the postman
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“I couldn’t believe it when we got this letter out of the blue. I thought it was a wind-up at first, so I phoned the number, and I was told it was real.
“I think the whole thing is mad. It seems like a knee-jerk reaction. It is not as if I have got some kind of massive XL Bully dog which could seriously injure someone.”
He said that the letter appeared “generic” and that it could have been sent to any property.
When he asked for proof of the injury, he claimed that Royal Mail were unable to provide it.
“I just think that whatever happened was probably very minor and it would have been far better to have sorted out by having a chat with us," he said. "But they are making it out to be really serious.”
Royal Mail said: 'We have offered the customer an alternative arrangement for collection of their post should they be unable to get to the Delivery Office during opening hours'
PAHumphreys, who is a delivery driver, said that due to his busy work schedule, he will have no time to pick up his Christmas post. Similarly, his wife will also not be able to visit the local post office as she is recovering from an injury.
The letter read: “Due to the seriousness of the incident, I’m sorry to advise that deliveries to your address will be suspended.
“I hope you understand that this exceptional step has been take to safeguard the health and safety of my staff.”
A Royal Mail spokesman said: “Deliveries to an address in Maldon Court have been suspended due to the postman being bitten by a cat while delivering to the property.
“The team at Sudbury Delivery Office will work with the customer to try and resolve the issue. Deliveries will not resume until we are sure our colleague will be safe whilst carrying out their work.
“We have offered the customer an alternative arrangement for collection of their post should they be unable to get to the Delivery Office during opening hours.”
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