Separated by authorities:

Magpie and dog reunited in Australia

The magpie Molly and the dog Peggy are best friends.(Bild: Instagram/peggyandmolly)

Their separation ordered by the authorities had caused outrage - now a magpie and a dog have been reunited in Australia. The Department of Environment in the state of Queensland issued a special permit to this effect on Monday.

Six weeks ago, the authority had taken the magpie away from the couple, on whose property the two animals were apparently living happily together. This move caused angry protests on the internet.

The couple, who live on the Gold Coast in eastern Australia, which is also very popular with tourists, had rescued the magpie as a nestling in 2020 and named her Molly. Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen regularly posted photos on their Instagram page of Molly 'cuddling' with the family's Staffordshire bull terrier named Peggy. Hundreds of thousands of people looked at them.

Hooray, Molly is back home!

Ministry of the Environment triggered a shitstorm
But six weeks ago, the couple had to hand the magpie in to the Ministry of the Environment. The reason given for the decision was that, according to the law, magpies and other protected wild animals can only be taken in and cared for by people who have the appropriate license.

The authorities' actions caused a storm of indignation. A petition in support of Molly and Peggy entitled "Don't destroy their four-year friendship" was signed by more than 150,000 people.

Authorities relent
On Monday, the authorities relented: they granted Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen a special permit to take in Molly. In return, the couple undertook not to make any financial gain from the pictures and to complete a wildlife care training course. The magpie is now back "at home", the couple explained on Monday.