19yr old Tiger cat protects its home from the postmen

The 19-year-old black and white cat, named Tiger, has ripped into three postmen over the past few weeks, according to Royal Mail.

And the posties say the cat is never caught napping when it comes to springing a trap.

He bides his time as the postie approaches and pounces as the delivery men walk up the garden path.

Royal Mail workers say they can take no more - but Tiger's owner Tracy Brayshaw, 43, has laughed off the idea of her cat attacking anyone as "ridiculous".

She is cross that she has to go down to the local post office to collect her mail and denies Tiger is a risk to health and safety.

"If Tiger climbs up a tree, he is done in for the rest of the week. I find it really hard to believe," she told the Daily Mail.

"This is an old-age cat who gets dressed up as Santa each year - he wouldn't have the energy to attack postmen."

Mrs Brayshaw added: "I do think they have been a bit unfair, they have taken health and safety too far - we don't have a lion or a Rottweiler, this is a 19-year-old cat.

"We've had him since he was a kitten when he wandered in off the street. He has never done anything like what they say he has done before."

Mrs Bradshaw says she was told by Royal Mail that her cat had lacerated a postman's arm but, when she asked to see evidence of it, there were no pictures of the damage.

She plans to appeal the decision, pointing out that her cat is effectively on his last legs.

"Tiger's back end is going as well, he has no more spring in his hocks - so I can't see how he could have jumped at a postie. Our vet is amazed he is still alive."

A spokeswoman for Royal Mail said: "We are sorry for the inconvenience to Mrs Brayshaw and we want to resume delivery of mail to her address as quickly as possible.

"We're trying to agree a way to do this and avoid our employees suffering further nasty injuries, as has happened three times already."


/Sky News/