Rita Velazquez of the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP) took up the residents’ complaints in a municipal council session mid-January, with a petition in hand signed by the residents, and asked whether the municipality would revoke the authorisation to establish a vet clinic in that block of flats. Hesperange mayor Marc Lies of the Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) rejected Velazquez’ request, pointing to the general development plan (PAG) of the municipality, which allows for the establishment of a clinic in that designated space. Residents, however, are not pleased with this explanation, prompting them to voice their criticism against the veterinary clinic and the municipality.
Five residents interviewed by RTL stated that the block of flats had been a peaceful place for years, until the vet clinic opened its doors at the beginning of last year, which turned their little paradise into a living hell, according to statements. A neighbour who wishes to remain anonymous described the unhygienic conditions created by the clinic, such as urine, faeces, blood, and vomit are sometimes present in the entrance of the building.
Some residents have also developed allergies due to the animals present. They also express concern over the corpses of the animals, which are temporarily stored in a freezer in the basement of the building until a specialised company can take care of them. Apart from these health concerns, this has also led to an emotional burden, according to the residents.
A mother of a small girl voiced her concern over the safety of her child, as she fears that some dogs may react unpredictably towards the child.
Residents also explain that the clinic staff frequently leave the door of the main entrance open, unwittingly allowing strangers into the building.
The people in charge of the vet clinic explained in conversation with RTL that they proposed to build a separate entrance. However, the residents refused this proposal on the basis of principle and the noise it would create. The residents state that they would not allow changes to be made to the building in order to fix problems created by the clinic.
It must also be mentioned that both sides accuse each other of insults and of property damage, with an employee of the clinic even suffering a knee injury from an incident.
Another resident explains that moving away is not an option, as their property is no longer sellable. The resident’s property on the ground floor would have to be sold for a million euros, or even 1,2 million euros, but all the nuisance caused by the vet clinic would dissuade any buyer, according to the resident.
In the meantime, the veterinary doctor is looking to move. However, the clinic would prefer to keep one of the doctors in the current location.
Another resident criticised Hesperange for not respecting the PAG guidelines, explaining that municipal authorities issued a document of no objection to the establishment of a business, subject to two conditions: respect for third-party rights and the fact that residents were informed. However, the resident state further that they were not informed in good time, as they were informed on 16 December 2024. They then took all the necessary steps and on 20 December 2024 handed in the petition against the establishment of the vet clinic. During this period, the union managing the building resigned, leaving a vacuum that made the residents’ reaction difficult.
The union’s role in all this is criticised by both parties, the vet clinic and the residents. The vet was apparently not informed of the 11 residents’ disagreement to the establishment of the veterinary clinic.
Mayor Marc Lies stated in the council session of 17 January that this case was handed to the Health Inspection Department of Luxembourg, which conducted an inspection of the clinic that same day. No faults were found on the clinic. Despite this, residents complain that the inspection did not take into account the whole clinic, but only certain aspects of it.
Residents are now attempting to get rid of the clinic through the co-ownership regulations of the building. Legal steps against the union and owner of the flat that rents it out to the veterinary have not been ruled out, with mayor Lies also taking such steps into consideration.
