Dog smuggling: Johnny Depp's strange apology video

Tough laws in Australia for entry of pets into country is to prevent pests & diseases entering country & harming crops, animals & people, explains Depp in serious video.

CELEBRITIES & DOGS

Dog smuggling: Johnny Depp's strange apology video

AFP News Agency
18-04-2016

 Johnny Depp and his wife Amber Heard released a video apology Monday for breaking Australian quarantine laws by bringing two dogs with them into Australia aboard their private jet.

It was an awkward finale to a legal case people have jokingly called the "war on terrier" (referring to the post-9/11 "war on terror")

HEATED EXCHANGE OF INSULTS

The case made the headlines last May after Australian Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce threatened to have Johnny Depp's pet dogs, Pistol and Boo, put down unless they "buggered off back to the United States".

The dogs' presence in Australia only came to light when they were photographed at a dog grooming salon more than three weeks after they arrived to film the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales".

The dogs were quickly whisked away out of Australia as the story hit the headlines.

Depp had made fun of the incident, saying the dogs had been killed and eaten "under direct orders from some kind of sweaty, big-gutted man from Australia".

APOLOGY VIDEO

A black limousine dropped off the couple at the courthouse to hear the verdict in the legal case.

Guards escorted them through a crowd of reporters as supporters shouted "Go Johnny" and "We love you".

The apology video was played in court as Heard escaped conviction after pleading guilty to falsifying immigration forms when she brought the dogs into Australia.

In the video, which resembled a very grave public service announcement, the Hollywood couple stressed the importance of obeying Australia's strict biosecurity laws.

A deadpan Depp adds that Aussies were "just as unique" as their wildlife.

The video quickly went viral on social media where netizens said it looked like a "hostage video" or an "audition for the Godfather".

TRANSCRIPT

"Australia is a wonderful island with a treasure trove of unique plants, animals and people," said Heard.

"It has to be protected," Depp said in a grave tone of voice.

"Australia is free of many pests and diseases that are commonplace around the world. That is why Australia has to have such strong biosecurity laws," Heard said.

"And Australians are just as unique, both warm and direct. When you disrespect Australian law they will tell you firmly," Depp added in an apparent reference to the minister's threat.

Heard expressed her "remorse" over the case, in one of many awkward moments which raised giggles on social media, where the video was compared with a hostage plea or North Korean-style propaganda.

"I am truly sorry that Pistol and Boo were not declared," she said.

MORE SERIOUS CHARGES DROPPED

Two more serious charges against Heard of illegally importing (smuggling) the Yorkshire terriers were dropped on Monday by the court on the Gold Coast in Queensland state.

But Heard admitted to a third charge of providing a false document by failing to declare the animals on her arrival card.

She was placed on a Aus$1,000 (US$760) one-month good behaviour bond.

STAFF BLAMED FOR MIX-UP

The 29-year-old blamed Depp's staff for the mix-up, saying they were supposed to take care of all the paperwork.

"It was a terrible, terrible mistake," defence lawyer Jeremy Kirk said. "There was no attempt to deceive."

The couple had communicated with the Department of Agriculture about filming the apology.

"I don't think it'd be something that they would've willingly would've wanted to do," said Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce.

STRICT BIOSECURITY LAWS

Under strict biosecurity laws, dogs entering Australia from the United States must be declared and spend 10 days in quarantine.

Penalties range up to 10 years in prison.

Australia's strict biosecurity laws are meant to prevent disease outbreaks that could have terrifying consequences.

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