There's been a major new update in the ongoing mission to reunite Molly the magpie with his canine best friend, Peggy, after Australian authorities got involved.
The story of a magpie and a Staffordshire bull terrier being best friends sounds like something straight out of a children's book, so it's no surprise that thousands of people got invested after such a relationship emerged in real life.
Gold Coast couple Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen first introduced Molly the magpie to their dogs, Peggy and Ruby, after the bird had fallen from its nest.
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The story took the internet by storm in 2020 and a joint Instagram page for Peggy and Molly now has more than 800,000 followers, but fans of the friendship were left horrified when authorities with Queensland’s Department of Environment, Science and Innovation intervened and took Molly away.
The department explained at the time the couple had no permission to keep a wild bird.
Wells and Mortensen quickly launched a campaign to try and reunite Molly and Peggy, urging fans to contact the department’s Director-General and the Queensland premier.
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Before long, Premier Steven Miles joined in the calls to return Molly as he said: “I’m most interested in what is in the best interests of the animal and if the department can work with the family to reunite them in a way that is legal, I would support them.
“I think sometimes common sense needs to prevail.”
While Miles' support offered some hope, a post shared on Instagram yesterday (9 April) claimed Ruby was 'disappointed' at the lack of movement.
A caption alongside a picture of Ruby read: "What is taking soo long ? MR QLD STEVEN MILES said he was going to help bring Molly home but he’s not answering my emails or phone calls . I don’t understand why ?
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"If he does get back to me I’m going to tell him WOOF I’m NOT Happy , I miss my bestie & think about him everyday."
It seems Ruby won't have to miss her friend for much longer, however, as this morning Miles announced that Molly - who is a male - would be going home.
Miles said his announcement came after he spoke with Wells and Mortensen to tell them the state government had 'identified a pathway' which could get them the permit needed to keep the magpie.
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"This morning the department has advised me that the couple can secure the appropriate licence. The team will work with them to do that now," he said in a post shared online.
"It's good news and means Molly can come home very soon."
“I know that that will come as good news to the thousands of people who comment on my Facebook page every day calling on me to free Molly,” Miles continued.
In his message shared on social media, the premier added that the bird is currently 'in great spirits and is receiving good care'.
Emily Brown