Great Cornard man’s Royal Mail post suspended over cat bite

Alastair Humphreys, 33 of Maldon Court, said he received a letter on December 19 stating Royal Mail would not be delivering to his address after an employee was bitten and injured while delivering at his property the day before.

The letter, seen by the East Anglian Daily Times, reads: “Due to the seriousness of the incident, I’m sorry to advise that deliveries to your address will be suspended.

The letter to Mr Humphreys (Image: Alastair Humphreys) “I hope you understand that this exceptional step has been take to safeguard the health and safety of my staff.” 

After reading the letter, Mr Humphreys, who owns two cats named Peanut and Garfield, said: “I thought it was a wind up at first. I struggled to think how it was even possible for my cats to bite or scratch anyone posting a letter unless the postman had put his whole hand through the letterbox, which would be a strange thing to do.

Peanut and Garfield (Image: Alastair Humphreys) “I thought it was a very knee-jerk reaction to cancel all of my deliveries to my home over this.

“One would have thought a sensible conversation could have taken place explaining what has happened rather than immediately taking the decision to suspend all Royal Mail deliveries over this.”

The letter advised Mr Humphreys that he should now collect his post from their office between the hours of 8am and 10am Monday to Friday and 8am to 12 noon on Saturdays. 

He said: “I am working from 6am all days up until Christmas, so I am unable to collect any Christmas mail until after Christmas.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if the already ridiculous hours are reduced even more over the festive period.” 

Royal Mail has suspended deliveries to Mr Humphreys (Image: Newsquest) A Royal Mail spokesperson 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.”