Juliette Wells and Reese Mortensen, from Coomera on the northern Gold Coast of Australia, gained fame by sharing the heartwarming story of Molly's unlikely friendship with their Staffordshire terriers, Peggy and Ruby.
Social media sensation
But Molly isn’t a dog; she’s a magpie.
With over two million followers across social media, Molly's story captured hearts worldwide. However, authorities cited regulations against keeping native birds without a license.
Despite their efforts, Molly was taken away, leaving the couple and their dogs heartbroken.
Juliette and Reese are now urging their followers to appeal to local authorities for Molly's return. They argue that Molly had thrived in their care and was not kept in captivity.
However, the Department of Environmental Science and Innovation (DESI) maintains that Molly cannot be released back into the wild due to habituation to humans.
Plea for Molly’s return
While investigations continue, supporters have launched a petition to reunite Molly with her adoptive family, emphasising the strong emotional bond between Molly and the dogs.
As the legal battle unfolds, the fate of Molly the magpie hangs in the balance, stirring emotions and sparking debate over wildlife regulations and human-animal relationships.
What do you think? Should Molly be returned to Juliette and Reese?
