Sad update on Molly the magpie and Peggy the staffy

It’s the unique friendship between a magpie and a staffy that keeps making headlines, with a new complaint trying to rip the pair apart again.

It’s the unique friendship between a magpie and a staffy that keeps making headlines.

Now a new complaint is threatening to tear beloved pair Molly the magpie and Staffordshire bull terrier Peggy apart again.

Molly the magpie lives on the Gold Coast with Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen after the pair discovered the bird on the ground at a local dog park four years ago.

The bird quickly became part of the family, making fast friends with their pet dog Peggy.

The duo became household names in March after Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen were forced to handover Molly to be in captivity.

However uproar quickly led to Molly and Peggy — who have 972,000 followers on their Instagram account — being reunited and the couple granted a special licence to keep the bird.

But, now another complaint threatens to split the duo, with A Current Affair reporting the Queensland Government’s Department of Environment, Science and Innovation had been taken to court over Mr Mortensen’s licence to care for Molly.

“Molly is happy, healthy and alive — bossy and barking and being Molly,” Ms Wells told the program, with Mr Mortensen adding the bird’s wellbeing has always been the duo’s focus.

Molly the magpie lives on the Gold Coast with Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen after the pair discovered the bird on the ground at a local dog park four years ago. Picture: Instagram/@peggyandmolly

He said they just wanted to move on and get on with it.

The duo don’t even know who the person is behind the complaint, and they will remain anonymous throughout the proceedings.

A spokesperson from the government department would not provide comment on the proceedings.

“The decision to return an Australian Magpie to a Gold Coast couple was made in accordance with the Nature Conservation Act 1992,” a Department of Environment, Science and Innovation spokesperson told news.com.au.

“We are unable to provide further comment.”

Molly and Peggy the staffy are good friends. Picture: Instagram/@peggyandmolly

Mr Mortensen said every time the duo and their furry friends are in the public eye, it reminds people to become active in the wildlife space.

In July, an announcement was made that there would be an animated series about Molly and Peggy.

“We are so excited to announce Xentrix studios are going to bring to life a wholesome heartwarming animated series about a kind-hearted, animal loving couple and their beautiful staffy girls, a magpie & their friends,” the post read.

There is an animated series in the works. Picture: Instagram/@peggyandmolly

It will feature the two pals. Picture: Instagram/@peggyandmolly

“We are so grateful they are bringing to life this special friendship, for people of all ages to enjoy around the world.”

The animated series will showcase the “heartwarming tales” and “playful escapades” of pair’s unique friendship in 52, 11-minute episodes tailored for children between aged five and 11.

The series will also feature Peggy’s daughter, Ruby, who is described as a “cheeky and mischievous Staffy, brimming with playful energy and a stubborn streak”.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles weighed in on the issue. Picture: Instagram/@peggyandmolly

Following questions raised about the owners and commercial gain from the series — which was banned as part of the licence to keep Molly — Xentrix chief executive officer Chelsea Bonner said the Queensland couple have “simply allowed Xentrix to develop an animated series using the pet names of their animals”.

“No payments have exchanged hands for this. The series isn’t funded yet and is likely in development for at least another year,” she said according to The Courier-Mail.

“Production funds need to be raised by Xentrix Studios to make the series, hire animation artists, script writers, editors and more, which is a long and expensive process.”

As its an animated series, Ms Bonner noted the animals will not be required to perform or contribute to the series but “will be tucked up at home enjoying their real life” instead.

Originally published as Sad update on Molly the magpie and Peggy the staffy