Persimmon Homes apologises for cat trapped in Wymondham home

Richard Wood has lived in Strowger Loke, Wymondham, since last June and says he has had multiple issues with the £400,000 property - built by Persimmon Homes - even before moving including kitchen wiring and misplaced plug-sockets.

However, things reached boiling point when a broken bathroom led to his eight-year-old cat, La, being trapped for two days.

Mr Wood had to use a mallet and screwdriver to pry his cat, La, from out of the floorboards (Image: Richard Wood)

La was trapped under floorboards for two days at her home in Wymondham (Image: Denise Bradley/Newsquest)

Mr Wood, 47, said: "One of the bathrooms was so badly fitted when I moved in that it was leaking sewage so in mid-December workers came and started taking up all the boards.

"I was ill the day they came around so I asked if they could take into consideration my three cats, which are all housebound, because I couldn't keep an eye on them.

"I must've spent nearly two days asleep because I was so ill and when I woke up I realised La wasn't around.

"I thought she had escaped while the workers were here so I went around the estate looking for her but nothing.

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"When I was back at the house later I heard a scratching sound from upstairs and soon realised she was stuck between the middle of the floorboards.

"Panicking, I called Persimmon who said it couldn't get anyone out until the next day, so I got a mallet and screwdriver to smash through the floor, while I could hear her crying."

Mr Wood says he's had issues with the house since moving in June last year, including electricals being taped up in the kitchen (Image: Richard Wood)

Richard Wood broke through floorboards to free his cat La two days after work to his bathroom (Image: Denise Bradley/Newsquest)

Despite La getting out without any physical injuries, Mr Wood says the incident has left her "jumpy" ever since it happened.

He added: "She's not been the same since.

"Even in Persimmon's apology letter, it says they weren't aware of my cats, but every single time they were in the house I told them - they're calling me a liar.

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"The cats are fundamentally more important to me than the house.

"I paid nearly half a million for this and have been shocked ever since moving in - if I could have my time back I'd go anywhere else than Persimmon."

Richard Wood is still waiting for Persimmon to finish repairs to the bathroom of his Wymondham home (Image: Denise Bradley/Newsquest)

Persimmon apologises for 'distress' caused

A Persimmon Homes Anglia spokeswoman said: "We would like to reiterate our apology to Mr Wood for the distress caused to him and his pet during this incident.

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"Where we know there is a pet present, we would always ask the resident to ensure they are kept away from any works for safety.

"As a result of this unfortunate incident, we have reviewed our protocols and incorporated additional checks at properties where pets may be present and will continue to ask residents to work with us to ensure it doesn't happen again.

"We can confirm that we've agreed dates with the customer to return to the property and complete any outstanding works to his home."