Swiping playfully at the camera, its hard to imagine she could be a danger to anything - except, perhaps, her favourite toy mouse. But to postmen, Illy the kitten might as well be a snarling rottweiler. They say that the six-month-old moggie once jumped up at the letterbox and delivered a painful scratch to a postwomans hand. So fearful are they of a repeat performance that they have sent a strongly worded letter to Illys owners - warning them to discipline her or face a delivery ban. Kenneth Ridge, 65, and his son Bradley, 30, yesterday spoke of their shock at receiving the note describing Illys 'attack. 'Reading this letter youd think I had a rottweiler at home, it really was ridiculous, Mr Ridge Snr said. 'Illy is a kitten, shes very small and friendly and was just playing. 'We werent here, but it seems some mail was put through the letterbox and the postwomans hand was scratched. 'I would say Illy stands up for herself, but shes never bitten me, and if she did, really could not do much damage. 'I cant believe I could have my post suspended for this. If that happens I will be making a very strong complaint. Illy, who weighs in at a mere 7lb, spends most of her time playing with balls of wool, chasing her tail or exploring the neighbourhood. Mr Ridge, who runs a greengrocers in Clapham, South-West London, first heard about her snappy side when he received the warning letter from an office manager at Royal Mail. It read: 'I am writing to let you know that, on the 6th of June , our postman was attacked by your animal in your premises while delivering mail to your address. 'Animal attacks are a major cause of injury to Royal Mail staff and so I am writing to seek your co-operation in preventing a repeat of this unfortunate incident. 'I must advise you that, if any further incidents of this nature are allowed to take place, I shall have no alternative other than to consider suspending the delivery of mail to your home. Mr Ridge, who receives many important letters and packages related to his business, urged Royal Mail not to over-react. 'Everyone I tell finds it so amusing that our little kitten has been mistaken for some savage beast, he said. - Daily Mail 'But, on a serious note, this is a very strong letter and if it was sent to an old lady with a cat I think it could be very upsetting. I think its over the top, and Id like to know what treatment to the postwoman was required. A Royal Mail spokesman said it always treats animal attacks on postmen seriously, however minor they might appear. 'We record about 5,000 animal attacks on our postmen and women each year with the vast majority being dogs, he said. 'The member of staff suffered a very bad cut to her hand while delivering mail through the letterbox of the address. He said the injury was serious enough to 'require treatment. - Daily Mail