One half of the Gold Coast couple whose pet dog Peggy was separated from feathered friend Molly the Magpie has posted a heartbreaking video begging for Molly to be returned home.
Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen have made headlines around the world after a magpie that had befriended their Staffordshire bull terrier was removed by wildlife officers after a handful of complaints.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Molly and Peggy appear together in heartbreaking video.
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The unusual interspecies friendship garnered Molly and Peggy a huge social media following, and a book about the pair was released late last year.
But it seems not everyone was in favour of this sweet friendship, with calls to have Molly removed heeded by the environment department.
According to the department, Molly has been “highly habituated to human contact and is not capable of being released back into the wild” and wildlife officials are now looking for a “suitable facility” for the magpie.
But that decision has prompted a huge outcry, with followers of Peggy and Molly describing the separation of the two as cruel, inhumane, and bureaucracy at its worst.
Now, Juliette Wells has shared a video showing the adorable bond between the two, with a poem being narrated over the top.
“They came, and they told us they wanted to take you away, we couldn’t even picture what that would look like,” the narration begins.
“I will never forget that day, if Molly had a voice, what would he say?
“If Molly had a choice, where would he stay?
“The silence has been broken, people have awoken.
“I haven’t been placed on this earth to hide, let me soar and be your guide.
“In unity and harmony you will see what the world needs right now is Peggy, Ruby and ME.”
The video concluded: “Let’s keep focused on a positive outcome.”
Wells also shared a video in which Molly sits on her shoulder, with Peggy sitting happily on the other side of her.
The footage is not new, as Molly has been seized and the Gold Coast couple doesn’t know if or when he will be returned.
For a few moments, Molly the magpie makes traditional bird sounds along with a barking dog sound.
The video is hashtagged #bringmollyhome.
“So, this is the famous Molly the magpie, and people will know Molly for his famous bark”, Wells says.
“He is such an amazing character and he’s made an incredible bond with our two girls (Peggy and her daughter Ruby).”
Wells and Mortensen said they had rescued Molly when he fell from a tree nest at a local park.
At first, they thought Molly was female, but the bird, they learned later, was actually male.
Environment department officials said the pair were keeping the bird “unlawfully, with no permit, licence or authority being issued”.
“To keep a native animal that originates from the wild, a person must have a permit, licence or authority to lawfully have the animal in their possession,” a department spokesperson said.
“Animals that are sick, orphaned or injured must go to a person who holds a valid rehabilitation permit, which are issued to people who have demonstrated skills, knowledge and experience dealing with and caring for native animals.
“The purpose of rehabilitating native wildlife is to provide care so that the animal can be released back to the wild.
“When an animal is being rehabilitated, it must be done in a way that minimises humanisation and allows it to exhibit natural instincts and behaviour.”
But followers of Molly and Peggy’s adventures were disgusted by the decision when both animals were clearly happy.
“My heart is breaking for you,” one follower wrote.
“I hope and pray Molly is back home soon.”
“I’m really concerned for Molly’s emotional wellbeing. Animals suffer and go through the same emotions that humans do when they are separated from those they love,” said another.
“This is cruelty in the extreme.”
“Molly had his freedom to fly, yet he chose the only home he ever knew,” observed another.
“I pray for him to be returned to his own area where he was free to come and go, not locked up somewhere in an office,” wrote a third.
“Please let common sense prevail.”
Followers of the saga dropped comments from as far afield as Holland, England and the US, where the story of Molly and Peggy’s separation has appeared in the news.
“I’m hoping for good news. Lots of love for you all from Holland,” wrote one.
“I can’t believe they are doing this. I’m so worried, it’s so wrong, love from Hawaii USA,” said another.
Many said they hoped the environment department would change their mind and return Molly.
“Nice one QLD government. You have managed to destroy something that gives so many people a little joy,” one fan wrote.
“Can’t see why it’s taking so long to make a decision, for god’s sake send him home to his family,” begged another.
“Government condones the clearing and polluting of our lands, which harms animals and humans alike,” a third noted.
“You’re allowed to hunt kangaroo and deer and rabbits … Magpies are killed all the time on the road.
“This is nonsense. Molly was a free agent.
“Truly shake my head at some of these decision makers.”
The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation has been contacted for comment.