LBC petition - Protect the Wild

Tell LBC and Ian Payne to show compassion for wildlife

2235 people have taken action so far. Help us reach 5000

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Dear LBC and Ian Payne,

On 14 October 2025, during your early morning show, Ian Payne spoke about a trapped fox in his underground car park. Instead of showing empathy for a frightened wild animal, he repeatedly called the fox “vermin,” laughed about its suffering, and even questioned whether to “let it waste away down there.”

This was broadcast to thousands of listeners on national radio. It was not harmless banter. It was public mockery of an animal in distress.

When listeners urged Ian to contact the RSPCA, he continued to joke about the situation, comparing foxes to rats and dismissing those who objected. This kind of language on a mainstream platform reinforces the dangerous idea that wild animals are worthless.

Across the media, foxes have long been demonised. Just this month, stories spread claiming “foxes terrorised a village by chewing through car brake cables.” These headlines, and Payne’s remarks, are part of the same pattern — portraying foxes as pests rather than living beings who share our towns and cities.

Foxes are not vermin. They are intelligent, social animals who have adapted to survive in human environments despite centuries of persecution. Calling them names and joking about their suffering on air only fuels hostility and cruelty.

We ask LBC and Global Media to do the following:

Confirm that the trapped fox in your underground car park has been rescued and safely released.

Issue a public statement recognising that calling wildlife “vermin” is unacceptable.

Commit to responsible coverage of urban wildlife, including interviews with rescue experts and conservation voices.

Use your platform to promote coexistence, not contempt, toward the wild animals who share our world.

Please take this opportunity to show leadership, compassion, and integrity. A simple act of kindness and accountability could help shift how millions of people see Britain’s wildlife.

Sincerely,

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Tell LBC and Ian Payne to show compassion for wildlife

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