Quit job to save your dog’s life dilemma

Dog lover, Paul Webb, 50, of Newland Road, has been told the only way his dog can get a life-saving operation paid for is if he quits his job and goes on to benefits.

Lloyd, a rottweiler, is only two years old but will be put down at the end of January unless Paul can find the money to pay for a major leg operation.

Paul has described the situation as “ludicrous” and is at his wits’ end as he cannot afford the operation at Northdale veterinary practice, in Victoria Road, which costs almost £3,000.

“They have said, come the end of January he has got to have it done,” he said.

“Now it is getting more and more into January. I just can’t afford it so I have got to have a perfectly healthy dog put down.

“I just do not know where to go. I have tried charities but because they are charitable organisations they can’t do anything. I do not get benefits so I do not get any help.

“I would even go out with a begging tin. Because I do not have a good credit rating, I can’t even get a credit card.”

The situation has got so bad, Paul is considering whether he should leave his job at a double glazing firm and sign up to benefits so that he will eligible for funding. “It makes you turn to go and sign on,” he said. “He is my best mate. Everybody knows him in the park and he is so friendly and happy. I have had him since he was eight weeks old.”

Lloyd had to have the joint on his right leg replaced last year, which was covered by pet insurance.

However, insurance companies refused to cover the cost of any future operations on Lloyd’s left back leg, leaving Paul with no back-up.

The operation costs almost £3,000 – money Paul does not have as he works on commission and things are tight at the moment.

He said: “The last four weeks it has been really bad. I am getting myself in a two and eight because of the dog.”

One of the charities Paul approached for help was the PDSA.

PDSA spokeswoman, Mary Brown, explained: “We have quite a strict eligibility criteria as we have limited resources. We can only target people with housing benefits or council tax benefits. We have thousands of calls every week. At the moment in the country we are seeing a rise in the number of people using our services.”