‘Never forget’: Sad video after Molly the magpie seized

The owner of a pet staffy who famously befriended a magpie has shared an emotional video about authorities’ controversial move to seize the bird.

The Aussie owner of a pet staffy who famously befriended a magpie has written an emotional poem about Queensland authorities’ controversial move to seize the bird.

Molly the magpie – who was first thought to be a female, but later discovered was male –

was rescued as a chick and nursed back to health by Gold Coast couple Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen.

The bird rose to internet fame after becoming best friends with Peggy, the couple’s English staffy, and their cross-animal friendship even inspired a book.

Molly the magpie rose to internet fame after becoming best friends with Peggy the staffy. Picture: Instagram / @peggyandmolly

But last week the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) confirmed to news.com.au that the bird had been seized on March 1, with a process currently in place to “have the magpie placed at a suitable facility”. It said the magpie was unable to be released back into the wild.

DESI alleged the bird was taken from the wild and “kept unlawfully, with no permit, licence or authority being issued”.

The devastated couple are now fighting to bring Molly home.

Over the weekend, Ms Wells narrated old footage of Molly and her dogs, Peggy and Ruby, with a poem and shared it to their 1.8 million followers across on Facebook and Instagram.

She read:

“They came and told us they wanted to take you away,

We couldn’t even picture what that would be like,

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 again and be your guide.

In unity and harmony you will see,

What the world needs right now is Peggy, Ruby and me.”

The Gold Coast couple are fighting to bring Molly home. Picture: Instagram / @peggyandmolly

Molly has never been caged, had his wings clipped or been forced to stay inside – with Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen asserting many times the bird has been free to come and go as he wants.

Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen told Today their four-legged friends have taken the bird’s absence particularly hard.

“It’s been really difficult, to tell you the truth. We’re noticing some behavioural changes in Ruby,” Ms Wells told the program.

“Ruby, Peggy and Molly used to just be the best of friends. Molly was there when Ruby was born, so we’ve noticed Ruby’s starting to rip up her toys and Peggy’s been very depressed and clingy since Molly was taken.”

In a video announcing they had handed over Molly to authorities, the couple stressed their intentions with the magpie were not to go viral.

“From the moment we found a little sick bird to this day, everything we have done for him has been done with pure intentions and the absolute joy of sharing this beautiful interspecies friendship that we were so honoured to witness,” Ms Wells said.

“There was a concern from DESI that we did this to make money from a wild bird.

“This was not my intention at all. I am a photographer and an artist, one who took extremely cute photos of animals together, using my talents to make people happy.”

Mr Mortensen claimed he and his partner had tried to work with DESI after the department first asked the couple to surrender the bird in June last year.

“Including training and me obtaining my wildlife permit, which after a period of time I had to retract my application as there was a bit of a conflict to our page,” he said.

Peggy and Molly's friendship has warmed hearts around the world. Picture: Instagram / @peggyandmolly

DESI highlighted the rules around rescuing sick wildlife when addressing the case.

“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 department’s statement said.

“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.

“Animals in rehabilitation must not associate with domestic animals due to the potential for them to be subjected to stress and the risks of behavioural imprinting and transmission of diseases.

“Animals from the wild, must stay wild.”

The matter is still be investigated.