She's out of the doghouse
US actress Amber Heard pleads guilty, films apology and avoids jail time for illegally bringing dogs into Australia
US actor Johnny Depp and his wife, actress Amber Heard, released a video apology yesterday for flouting quarantine laws by bringing two dogs into Australia on their private jet, in an awkward finale to a case dubbed the "war on terrier".
The case made headlines in May last year after Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce threatened to have the dogs, Pistol and Boo, put down unless they "buggered off back to the United States".
The apology was played in court as Heard, 29, escaped conviction after pleading guilty to falsifying immigration forms when she brought the dogs into Australia, where Depp, 52, was filming "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales".
In the video, the couple stressed the importance of obeying the nation's strict biosecurity laws.
"Australia is a wonderful island with a treasure trove of unique plants, animals and people," said Heard.
"It has to be protected," Depp said.
"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 said in an apparent reference to the minister's threat.
AWKWARD
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.
Two more serious charges against Heard of illegally importing the Yorkshire terriers were dropped yesterday by the court in Queensland. But she admitted a third charge of providing a false document by failing to declare the animals on her arrival card.
She was placed on a AU$1,000 (S$1,050) one-month good behaviour bond.
Heard 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."
Mr Joyce, who is also deputy prime minister, told reporters the couple had communicated with the Department of Agriculture about filming the apology.
"I don't think it'd be something they would've willingly wanted to do," he said.
The video quickly went viral.
"Can we talk about how Johnny Depp and Amber Heard look like they're being held hostage by the Australian government?" LewisAbbey tweeted.
A black limousine had dropped the couple off at the Southport Magistrates' Court where minders escorted them through a media scrum as supporters shouted "Go Johnny" and "We love you".
The dogs' presence in Australia only came to light when they were photographed at a grooming salon over three weeks after they arrived. They were quickly whisked out of the country as the story made news.
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".
Under strict biosecurity laws, dogs entering Australia from the US must be declared and spend 10 days in quarantine. Penalties range up to 10 years in prison.
Agriculture authorities issued a statement saying Heard made "a false declaration on her Incoming Passenger Card, saying she was not travelling with any live animals when she did have two dogs in her luggage".
"The consequences of a disease outbreak could have been terrifying. We can't take the risk," Mr Joyce said. - AFP.
Can we talk about how Johnny Depp and Amber Heard look like they're being held hostage by the Australian government?
- LewisAbbey, a Twitter user, on Depp and Heard's video apology
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