ESA and selling a puppy.

HollySocks_2

Recently lost my 14 yr old dog to cancer. Also have a 2 yr old Pomeranian, prefer to have 2 dogs for the company they give to each other.

Prices of Pomeranians in my area were around £3-4K. Way out of my budget.  So I looked at using a stud service. It cost £150 in Jan. I knew that the usual litter size is 2-3, if I had 2 pups, my brother wanted the second one. My 2 year old pup broke her leg last year. PDSA helped, paid them £500 in donations. But they botched the operation and left her with shattered metal in her leg. The PDSA won’t do any corrective surgery. So I have to look at using a private vet which I’ve been told could be around £2000. If I had a spare puppy, then I could use any money to get my dog the corrective surgery. It doesn’t cause her much pain, she can’t jump up at all though, so I do want to sort it when I can afford it.

Last week I had 3 pups. They’re only 8 days old, but fingers crossed they will all be fine. I’ll choose one and my brother will have one, which leaves one to sell.

Would that affect ESA? And if so how? Each week I get around £110 contribution based and another £60 ish that can be reduced depending on savings etc. Is that income based? If I received £1.5K for a puppy in 1 week, is the maximum they could take back £60? I.e. just the income based bit? Is it worked out weekly? 

Or would they look at it annually and say I received an extra £1.5K this year and all of that will be taken off ESA?

I’ve looked at DEFRA guidelines re selling. A new law was introduced in 2018. In 2019 DEFRA issued a clarification that said anyone selling 1-2 litters a year is not classed as doing so for profit. If that’s the case, can I argue that I am simply selling a possession of mine, like you would with a bicycle etc. It’s a one-off and according to DEFRA , it doesn’t meet their conditions for profiteering. The week before I sell it, it is technically an asset of mine, it has a value, and when I sell it I would have just converted it into cash as it were. If DWP say, nope it’s still profiteering, can I argue that DEFRA actually address this issue and say otherwise?

From what I’ve read capital gains tax doesn’t apply in this case, and as ESA is my only income, I wouldn’t be anywhere near the tax threshold to pay tax even when I sell the puppy.

Thanks for any help. I know having puppies, rather than going to an adoption service may not be a popular move on here, but I made my choice for good or bad. And now just wondering what I can do without getting into any trouble.

Sorry for the waffle.

Robbie64

As long as you don't run a business selling puppies then you won't need to inform the DWP unless the amount of money you have in the bank goes above £6,000. The puppy is a personal possession and you are allowed to sell personal possessions without this affecting your weekly benefit.

HollySocks_2

Thank you. No, I wouldn’t be going over the £6000. Appreciate your help.

TELLIT01

In the situation you describe there is no problem and nothing to report.  The puppies are yours and you can sell them, just like you could sell any other items you own.

Sncjw

I would get insurance Also for your dogs espcially if you have two. You couldn't afford to pay for vet bills on one for this incident. If something happened to the puppy or both how will you fund vet bills.