Queensland Premier Steven Miles weighs in on Molly magpie controversy

There has been a huge update after Molly the magpie was taken from his home in Queensland and away from best friends Peggy and Ruby, Staffordshire bull terriers.

There has been a dramatic twist in the story of a magpie that forged an unlikely friendship with two Staffordshire bull terriers in Queensland.

Molly was taken in by Gold Coast couple Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen who care for her but do not cage her or force her to stay inside.

They document the bird’s relationship with their dog Peggy and Peggy’s daughter Ruby on Instagram, where their page has more than 700,000 followers.

But there was a public outcry when Molly was seized by the Department of Environment and Innovation (DESI) amid allegations that the bird was being “kept unlawfully”.

Juliette Wells with her partner Reece Mortensen and Peggy, Ruby and Molly.

After Molly and Peggy’s story was reported around the world, Queensland Premier Steven Miles weighed in on the controversy.

On Thursday Mr Miles released a statement saying that Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen would be able to keep Molly if they undergo appropriate training.

“The environment department stands ready to train Molly’s parents to be wildlife carers, to get that certification, so Molly can be reunited with the family,” the premier said.

“What I’m most interested in here is what’s in the best interests of that animal, and if the department can work with the family to reunite them in a way that is legal, I would support that.

Premier Steven Miles said that the state would be prepared to offer training to Molly’s carers so he could be reunited with his family.

“I think sometimes common sense needs to prevail and in this instance ensuring that they can legally take care of Molly is the best outcome for Molly.

“I think if you look at the story there is a better outcome possible. I don’t want to see any of the rules broken, but there has to be a way within the rules to see Molly live out a happy life with her family.”

Speaking to A Current Affair on Wednesday night, Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen said their house has become “so quiet” without Molly around.

The couple reiterated the bird could come and go from their house as he pleased, and there were no issues between Molly, Peggy and the Staffy’s puppy, Ruby.

Peggy and Molly have more than 700,000 followers on Instagram.

Molly was seized on Wednesday.

“He had the best of both worlds. He was living outside, he was hanging with his friends outside, he was hunting and gathering on his own. He’d come occasionally for snacks but then he’d come back and say g’day,” said Mr Mortensen.

“The day the wildlife officers came for us to surrender him, he wasn’t here so they left without him.”

DESI previously said that Molly was too domesticated to be released into the wild.

“The day Juliette surrendered him he flew in the morning, then Juliette put him in the crate and took him down to Burleigh and surrendered him.”

In a statement on Wednesday DESI said they were looking for a “suitable facility” for Molly as he had become too domesticated to be released into the wild.

“The magpie is currently under the care of DESI. Unfortunately, it has been highly habituated to human contact and is not capable of being released back into the wild,” the statement read.