A pet staffy of a Gold Coast couple has become depressed and clingy after it was seized due to a permit bungle.
The bird, named Molly, was rescued by Reece Mortensen and Juliette Wells, who nursed it back to health after it was a chick. After a while, they let it go, but Molly had other plans.
His interactions with the couple’s dogs went viral.
This week, Molly became an international issue after authorities seized the bird from Ms. Wells and Mr. Mortensen, who were not charged with any wrongdoing.
Despite the state’s Premier Steven Miles promising to work with the couple to get the proper permit to bring the bird back, they told Today that they had not heard anything.
It has been a difficult situation to talk about, Ms Wells said, as she and her family noticed that Ruby, their dog, started to behave strangely.
Also, since Molly was taken, Peggy, their other dog, has become depressed. The family is worried about what will happen to Molly.
The couple has not seen the bird since it was taken. According to Ms Wells, the Department of Science and Innovation has not contacted them to explain what happened to Molly.
The bird has never been cooped up, and it has been allowed to roam free.
DESI has stated that Molly requires a permit to stay with Mr. Mortensen. He told Today that he had already obtained the accreditation required for the permit.
He said that he was able to do so through an accredited organization.
After all of the accreditations and training, Mr. Mortensen said that he was now going to the Department of Science and Innovation to find out what he needs to do to keep the bird.
A spokesperson for DESI told news.com.au that the bird was seized. A process has since been established to find the bird a suitable home.
According to the statement, members of the public surrendered the bird on March 1. It is believed that the bird was illegally kept, and it was not issued a permit or license by DESI.
All native animals in Queensland are protected according to the Nature Conservation Act. In order to keep a wild animal, one would need to have a license or permit.
The spokesperson also stated that Molly was not capable of being taken back to the wild due to how habituated it is to humans.