Australia’s Queensland Prime Minister is backing the campaign to reunite a well-known magpie named Molly with her keepers and best friend Peggy. Molly was seized by the Queensland Environment Department because the animal was being illegally kept. Australians are responding en masse to the event and hoping for a quick reunion.
Magpie Molly was rescued as a chick by a couple from Queensland, Australia. The magpie formed an unlikely bond with their bull terrier, Peggy. The couple created an Instagram profile completely dedicated to the bond between the two animals. More than 730,000 people are now following their story online.
The owners, Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen, announced earlier this week that they had to hand Molly over to the Queensland Environment Department due to a “small group of people who continuously complain” about having the animal in their care. “We wonder why a wild magpie can’t decide for itself where it wants to live and who it wants to spend its time with?” the couple writes in a post online.
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Queensland’s Environment Department said Molly was seized because the animal was “taken from the wild and unlawfully held without a permit, license or authority.” Under Queensland law, sick or injured native animals must be cared for by people with a valid permit. The matter is currently under further investigation.
A lot of fuss
When it came out that magpie Molly had been confiscated, there was a lot of commotion online. Loyal followers do not believe it is acceptable for the magpie to be separated from her caregivers and dog Peggy. More than 70,000 people signed the online petition to reunite Peggy and Molly. “We must prioritize the well-being of these innocent creatures who rely on us for care,” the petition organizer wrote.
And the Australian Prime Minister of Queensland, Steven Miles, also agrees. Unlike other politicians, he believes Molly should be reunited with the family. Although he does not condone the violation of the law, he finds Molly’s case “unusual.”
“I want to find the best solution for the animal. There has to be a way to give Molly a happy life with her family without breaking the rules.”
Steven Miles
Premier of Queensland
“I think we have to listen to our common sense. If you look at the story, a better outcome is possible,” the Prime Minister said. “I want to find the best solution for the animal. There has to be a way to give Molly a happy life with her family without breaking the rules.”
In concrete terms, the Prime Minister proposes to train the couple as animal caretakers. This way they have the correct certification and Molly can be reunited with the family.
Tags: Broken friendship dog Peggy magpie Molly Australia captivated
