Petition against animal exploitation gathered over a thousand signatures in one day

A group of Luxembourg citizens addressed the authorities and the media in an open letter denouncing the systematic exploitation and cruel treatment of animals used for street begging. This primarily concerns dogs, which, according to eyewitness accounts, are kept in public places for hours without movement or contact with people, sometimes without water or food.

According to the authors of the appeal, such cases are regularly reported in several municipalities, including Differdange, Esch-sur-Alzette, Rodange, Capellen and Luxembourg. Witnesses describe the animals as apathetic and disoriented, and in some cases, there are suspicions that medication has been used. Reports of dogs "disappearing" and being replaced by others are a particular cause for concern, which, according to citizens, may indicate the existence of organised networks.

The authors emphasise that their initiative is not directed against homeless people or those in vulnerable social situations. They state explicitly that poverty is not a crime. However, in their view, no social situation can justify the suffering of animals.

Against the backdrop of what is claimed to be an inadequate response to numerous reports and complaints, civil petition No. 3921 was submitted to the Chamber of Deputies (Chambre des Députés). Its aim is to strengthen animal protection, combat possible exploitation networks, and open a public debate on forms of regulated and "respectful" begging. In less than a day, without any media coverage, the petition gathered 1,048 signatures, solely through citizen mobilisation, which the authors consider an indicator of public interest in the issue.