“Declare everything when you go to Australia”, reminded Depp as the video ended.
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In the 42 second video, Depp wryly says Australians are “just as unique” as their wildlife, describing them as “both warm and direct. If you disrespect Australian law, they will tell you firmly”. Its laws are in place to protect the country’s biodiversity; Australia is one of a handful of so-called megadiverse countries, a term it owes to the abundance of species living there. “I’m truly sorry Pistol and Boo were not declared”. Greg Stolz, a journalist forThe Courier-Mail, tweeted from the court room, writing, “Magistrate says Amber Heard “not just another celebrity on the charity bandwagon” and is ‘clearly a nice person'”. Two more serious charges of illegally importing the dogs were dropped, and she was slapped with a one-month good behavior bond.
Heard has given the court a video clip of her expressing “remorse” over the case.
“Today’s court outcome-coupled with the video-sends the message to all travellers that Australia’s biosecurity laws will be strictly enforced”, the spokesman said.
The debacle over the dogs began last May, when agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce accused Depp of smuggling the tiny terriers aboard his private jet when he returned to Australia to resume filming.
Her guilty plea meant Mr Depp was excused from giving evidence to the court.
The dogs’ presence inside the country was discovered thanks to Facebook posts published by a pet-grooming salon.
Last year, the incident made headlines across the world when Mr Joyce said Pistol and Boo should “bugger off” back to the United States or he might be forced to have them put down. (Dave Hunt/AAP Image via AP) NO ARCHIVING, AUSTRALIA OUT, NEW ZEALAND OUT, PAPUA NEW GUINEA OUT, SOUTH PACIFIC OUT US actor Johnny Depp (R) and his wife Amber Heard arrive at a court in the Gold Coast on April 18, 2016.
He added that Amber usually leaves her travel organisation to the couple’s staff, including the documents that need to be arranged, and had assumed everything had been dealt with ahead of her arrival into the country with the canines.
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“I’ve seen IS hostage videos with more joie de vivre than Johnny Depp’s apology”, said Twitter user John Johnson.
