Scaredy-cat postmen are refusing to deliver to a home because they are being attacked by this angry feline – that looks just like Postman Pat’s pet JESS.
Sweet-looking Bella jumps up and grabs the post from the letterbox whenever the postie calls – scratching his fingers.
The Royal Mail say it puts mail workers ”at risk of injury” and after a health and safety assessment no more deliveries can be made to the home in Patchway, Bristol.
Officials dubbed four-year-old Bella a ”hazard” and because of the ”level of threat” the postie won’t be going back unless it is ”restrained”.
The ban is even more ironic given black and white Bella is the spitting image of Post Pat’s docile pet cat Jess.
Owners Matthew Sampson and Laura Lowe say their pet has never attacked anyone before – but has taken against the postie.
Insurance sales coach Matthew, 24, said: “She does seem to dislike the postman. When he comes to the door she lets out a sort of growl. I’ve never heard a cat growl before.
“It’s just not a letter I ever expected to receive. I knew Bella wasn’t keen on the postman but I’d never actually witnessed her attacking him and I am sorry if this was the case.
”He shouldn’t have to risk being injured at work. I’m not sure exactly how I’d go about restraining the cat, though.
“As it happens we are actually moving soon, so in the meantime I will sort out an external delivery box.”
The letter read: “I’m writing to let you know that we’re experiencing difficulties in delivering mail to your address because of the actions of a cat at your property.
“As a result, a health and safety risk assessment has been carried out, and has determined that the level of threat requires actions to be taken to ensure the safety of its delivery staff.
“Your postman has reported that when he pushes the mail through your letterbox your cat snatches the mail and puts his fingers at risk of injury.
“Please, therefore, either ensure that the cat is restrained at all times away from the back of the letterbox, or provide an alternative safe delivery point for your property.”
In a statement, a Royal Mail spokesperson said: “If we feel that there is a risk from a dog, or any other animal, at an individual address, we are committed to working with the customer to agree simple steps to ensure we can continue to deliver the mail safely.
“In this case we have appealed to the owner to keep their pet under control when the postman calls and we have invited the customer to contact the delivery office manager to discuss this in more detail.
“This could be done just by making sure the pet is kept safely away from the letterbox or by installing a cage inside the letterbox to reduce the risk of fingers being bitten or scratched.
“Our postmen and women also use posting pegs which they use to deliver mail safely to properties where there are animals present.”
