Johnny Depp is in Australia filming for the latest installment of The Pirates of the Caribbean and he's brought with him his two Yorkshire Terriers, Boo and Pistol. Unfortunately, the dogs didn't have the necessary paperwork for entering the country.
This has prompted Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce to issue an ultimatum: get the dogs out of Australia or they will be euthanized. The country has strict importation laws to prevent the spread of pests and diseases. Leptospirosis, leishmania, ehrlichia and rabies, for instance, don't exist in Australia so strictly monitoring animals that come into the country is a necessity to keep these diseases from affecting local animals and people.
Following the news of the possible repercussions of the incident, Joyce said that the dogs are now preparing to leave the country via private jet.
Aside from having valid import permits, dogs have to stay for at least 10 days in an Australian quarantine facility upon arriving in the country. How long the quarantine period lasts is usually dictated by how many of Australia's pre-import requirements were met. If an animal starts showing signs of sickness or other issues during quarantine, the length of stay may be extended as a biosecurity measure.
Boo and Pistol apparently didn't go through any of these.
The Department of Agriculture released a statement Thursday stating it was made aware of a case of illegal animal importation on May 12. A biosecurity officer was sent to the property, presumably Depp's, and found Boo and Pistol.
"The dogs have been ordered into quarantine and the owners have been advised the dogs must be exported within 72 hours," said the department.
Barnaby explained the importance of importation laws in place in Australia but reiterated the bigger necessity of enforcing them. He argued that if movie stars, for instance, start being given special treatment, then the country might as well break the law for everybody.
"It's time that Pistol and Boo buggered off back to the United States," he added.
Joyce said Depp's disregard for Australia's importation laws was discovered after it was revealed that the dogs have been to Happy Dogz. The pet groomer posted on its Facebook page that "It's an honour to be grooming Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's two Yorkshire Terriers."
Many agree with Barnaby's position on sticking with importation laws but believe euthanizing Boo and Pistol is too harsh. A Change.org petition was even started to protect Depp's dogs.
