Johnny Depp Dog Case Dropped in Australia
Johnny Depp’s wife Amber Heard has avoided a conviction for illegally taking her dogs into Australia.
Amber Heard had pleaded guilty in court to making a false statement on her immigration card about the couple’s Yorkshire terriers.
However, the Queensland judge gave her a one-month good behavior bond with no conviction recorded. If she breaks the bond she must pay A$1,000 ($770).
The authorities also released an unusual video apology from the couple.
In the video, which was shown in court and made public by the Department of Agriculture, the couple expressed remorse and advised travelers to respect Australian quarantine laws.
Amber Heard and Johnny Depp both attended Southport Magistrate’s Court in Queensland state, amid a media scrum.
The actress’ guilty plea meant Johnny Depp was excused from giving evidence to the court.
Two illegal importation charges against her were dropped earlier.
They had carried a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail or fines of up to A$265,000.
Amber Heard, 29, brought the dogs, Pistol and Boo, to Queensland in a private jet in May 2015 to visit Johnny Depp, who was filming Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.
The dogs’ presence in Australia was noticed after a local dog groomer posted a photo of them on social media.
Amber Heard had pleaded guilty to declaring “No” on her immigration card under the section asking if she was bringing anything, including animals, into Australia.
Her lawyer argued that the actress had done so because she thought Johnny Depp’s assistants had already sorted out the dogs’ travel documents.
The dogs were quickly taken out of Australia and Amber Heard vowed never to return to Australia.
Australia’s tough quarantine laws are designed to keep disease at bay. Dogs entering from the US must spend 10 days in quarantine.
