Adorable Yorkshire terriers Pistol and Boo made international headlines after their owners Johnny Depp and Amber Heard illegally imported them to Australia last year. The case, which has since been dubbed as the war on terrier, has been settled after Heard pleaded guilty.
The 29-year-old actress told the Southport Magistrate's Court in Queensland on Monday, April 18, that she had made a false statement to the immigration authorities about Pistol and Boo. According to BBC, the presiding judge dropped the illegal importation charges that could have given Heard a penalty of up to 10 years in jail or up to $195,000 in fines.
Heard's lawyer has also reportedly submitted a video in which the remorseful actress states she is "truly sorry that Pistol and Boo were not declared" and drives home the point of protecting Australia and respecting biosecurity controls. This video and plea brought down Heard's charges to one-month good behaviour bond of $1,000 and no conviction. It also excused her husband Depp from giving evidence.
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Depp also appears in the video, reports the Guardian, where the "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" actor says, "Australians are just as unique, both warm and direct. If you disrespect Australian law, they will tell you firmly." He reminded everyone, "Declare everything when going to Australia."
The case was filed against Heard after she failed to declare their dogs to the immigration, during her visit to Australia in April 21, 2015. The actors and the concerned dogs made international headlines when the then-Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce threatened to put the terriers down and declared that even the "sexiest man alive" has to adhere to the Australian quarantine rules.
Now, Joyce has shared the video that the Depp and Heard, reinstating Australia cannot take the risk of a disease outbreak:
