Poppy Bilderbeck
Molly the Magpie and Peggy the Staffy have finally been reunited after being torn apart as a result of complaints made to environmental services.
Molly the Magpie and Peggy the Staffy have built up quite the following online, with social media users enamoured by the duo's close friendship despite being such different breeds of animal.
Alas, tragedy struck when some Karens decided that seeing a dog and bird frolicking so happily together could end up in only one thing - a Molly with less of the mag but more of the pie.
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So, with nothing better to do, some reported the pair to the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI), which saw owners Gold Coast, Queensland couple, Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen, forced to hand over the bird to authorities.
Wells, Mortensen and fans of the bird and staffy campaigned hard for her release, the couple even meeting with DESI's Director-General and the Queensland premier Steven Miles.
Queensland Government agreed to the release of the bird but under certain strict conditions and it would appear those conditions have since been agreed to as after 45 days, the bird has since returned home, a joyous announcement being made on the duo's Instagram page.
Wells and Mortensen took to Molly and Peggy's joint Instagram page earlier today (15 April) to reveal they 'have the best news'.
The caption reads: "MOLLY IS HOME !!!!
"We are overwhelmed with emotion right now. I have been visualising & looking forward to this day for what feels like a lifetime. It was a very exciting reunion at the Dept this morning for us with a little cry of happiness from Molly.
"When we arrived home the Peggy & Ruby [Peggy's daughter] wiggly bottoms were in full force and a few excited noises from Molly.
"We are so grateful to you our supporters , QLD Premier Steven Miles & the DESI for allowing us to get our licence & to be reunited with Molly again. We look forward to life settling back down to normal very soon."
And it's not taken long for fans of the family to flock to the post in support.
One user said: "This is a great way to start a week! So happy for mumma Peggy now that both her children are home!!"
"Best news made my day … I am so happy you are all reunited. The separation should have never happened to begin with," another commented.
And a third resolved: "This news of Molly being home is what the world needs right now and to every one involved Mollys adopted family on line who kept the pressure on and didn’t give up hope and also also a big thank you to the premier of Queensland."
DESI also approved Molly's return home, announcing: "(DESI) has approved a specialised license and today returned ‘Molly’ the magpie to a couple who took it in as a nestling in 2020.
"[...] The decision to return Molly has been made in accordance with the Nature Conservation Act 1992, following extensive legal advice."