Yesterday saw much fallout from Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s dog smuggling down under. The duo flew into Australia about three weeks ago and put on a united front after Johnny’s brief disappearance. The studio had halted production when Johnny broke his hand in a go-cart accident, but Jack Sparrow was back. When Johnny and Amber arrived, they had two hidden pieces of cargo in the form of their Yorkshire Terriers, Pistol and Boo. They failed to declare the dogs and go through proper quarantine procedures. Australian officials weren’t happy. Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce ordered the dogs to be removed by Saturday or face euthanization.
As of Friday afternoon (Australia time), the two pups were safely aboard a private jet back to the states. TMZ reports that Johnny’s not off the hook. He’ll probably have to pay a large fine. The offense of dog smuggling can also carry up to 10 years in jail. Australia isn’t messing around, although PETA decided to call out Joyce: “It sounds pretty heavy-handed to fine people for trying to include every member of their family in their travel plans.” PETA’s missing the point of Australia’s quarantine laws.
The big question is whether or not Johnny left Australia too. Time says that’s the case. The Mail has photos of a removal van outside Depp’s rented home on the Gold Coast (scarves, man). The Telegraph confirms that Johnny and Amber planned to leave the country with the dogs. In addition, this little stunt will have far-reaching repercussions for all private jets which enter Australia:
Johnny Depp will flee the country to save his pets from Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce’s dogged pursuit, but not before a grilling from quarantine officers.
They’re expected to leaving the country tonight, before a 72-hour deadline lapses and pets Pistol and Boo are seized. Depp and Heard have notified the Agriculture Department they will fly out with Boo and Pistol tonight in order to save them from euthanasia.
As a result of Depp’s defiance private jet passengers arriving in Australia may be forced to go through airport terminals with other travellers in changes to the rules around private jet entries.
Although the jet was met by Customs and Immigration officers, a private jet pilot said it was not unusual for luggage not to be examined if nothing was declared.
“Unless Customs have good reason to check an aircraft, they don’t need to. They tend to rely on responsible people doing the right thing,” said the pilot who did not want to be named. “This (Depp incident) is going to have repercussions like you wouldn’t believe. Private jets will no longer be cleared on the ramp. Everyone’s going to have to walk through the terminal and be screened in, and be screened out.”
[From Daily Telegraph]
I really hope Johnny wasn’t on that flight. This week’s issue of Star has a story about the “constant bickering” between him and Amber on the Pirates 5 set, so it would make sense if Amber left with the dogs. But Johnny needs to finish his job! He’s already derailed production once, which left 200 people without work. If he leaves Australia before production ends, who knows if he’d ever come back. The Telegraph adds, “It is not known how long Depp and Heard will remain in the US before returning to Australian shores.”
Barnaby Joyce seems to have had it with Depp and the entire Pirates production. There were some difficulties importing monkeys for the film, and Joyce said the government “bent over backwards” to get the animals through biosecurity on time. Joyce did express concern for Pistol and Boo, saying he was “seriously worried” the dogs didn’t have the correct paperwork to reenter the United States. If so, the pups could be declared “stateless.” Irresponsible pet owners suck.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet & WENN
Kinda refreshing to have them treat a celebrity like anyone else. Countries have animal quarantine laws and are entitled to enforce them, no matter what PETA says. Grandpa wanted to do things his way and now he’s made life more tedious for all the hotshots.
I think the animal quarantine laws are for the protection of other animals, so I don’t know why PETA is complaining.
I feel like PETA is the Sarah Palin of animal rights issues. If they think there’s some kind of way they can interject themselves into the conversation, even if it makes absolutely no logical sense, they’re going to do it. Just gab, gab, gab.
PETA’s hypocrisy with that statement is astounding.
I don’t think PETA thought through their statement. At all. Not only should they be pro bio-security, it’s not like it’s okay to smuggle human family members either! If Depp had his kids hidden in the bag, he’d be in jail.
Also, in Australia, people-smugglers’ boats are impounded and destroyed. Depp’s lucky he chose to smuggle a 4-legged family member, he’s getting off easy.
(I don’t really want his plane destroyed, but it would be glorious schadenfreude, wouldn’t it?)
Because PETA doesn’t take time to try to understand an issue. They just react.
Totally right, GoodNamesAllTaken! My thoughts exactly.
I agree with everything said here. PETA is ridiculous. Depp and Heard are stupid. And now those poor little dogs will suffer for it…
PETA never makes actions or comments based on logic or facts.
Not to shuck their personal responsibility for their fur babies but – Where in heck are these people’s PAs in all this?? I guess maybe no amount of personal assistance is going to help if it was one of those day before “Ohhh, lets take the puppies!” decisions.
I can never understand people with this much access to worldly experience who seem so lost in it.
‘I can never understand people with this much access to worldly experience who seem so lost in it.’
^^^ THIS. A thousand times this.
From the previous thread, it sounded like they had one of their PA’s carry the bag containing the dogs. Is there any confirmation on that? We’ll see if these two end up blaming that employee for following their orders, and trying to dodge responsibility themselves.
Well, according to their “worldly experience” it seems they are used to getting away with breaking the law and doing whatever they want. He clearly believes he is above the law. I just hope his puppies don’t end up paying the price for his arrogance. And he won’t blame himself. He’ll blame the officials upholding the laws.
Love everything about your post with the exception of the ugly ageism. It isn’t witty.
I love that they think they’re above the law on this one……I’ve been to Australia multiple times and they are just as strict with the average person trying to get into the country as they are with celebrities. I’m an animal lover, but still wish peta would stfu………
What a dumb and petulant comment for Peta to make . These are the laws of the country and that’s it. Nobody is above the law. Depp really isn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer. His wife looks almost young enough to be his grand-daughter.
Byeeeeee ya tool ! My brother works in film and tv here in Oz, he reckons all actors are short in stature, with massive out of proportion heads. Makes me think of ‘Ol Depster fo sho.
Idiots who think they are above the rules. But I can’t believe they don’t already inspect the cargo or luggage of private jets and just expect “responsible people to do the right thing.” Why? Because they’re rich?
I couldn’t believe it either that customs don’t search private jets and it does seem there is one rule for the mega rich private jet travellers and another for everyone else. The customs officers in Australia are idiots for thinking rich people won’t do anything illegal.
Right? How about drugs or guns or anything. Rich people would never do that…
Well, that’s basically how it works for regular people as well. You fill out the form asking if you have anything to declare. If you don’t (or you say you don’t) unless something flags up when they scan your luggage (lot’s of banned things or things that need to be quarantined won’t necessarily show up) or you’re luggage is randomly searched, you’re taken at you’re word and are outta there pretty fast. They don’t tear apart everyone’s luggage.
Now obviously a regular person would have trouble getting an animal through, but food, flora and fauna, untreated wood and things like that do get through and that can cause just as much damage as animals.
No that’s not how it works for “regular” people as well, my luggage gets scanned at airports, I have to walk through metal detectors, my handbag goes through a scanner before I get on the plane. Nothing gets scanned or checked when the rich and famous fly on private jets.
GNAT, good point. And now we know how easy it is for anything to be smuggled, as long as it’s on private jets.
This whole storyline is stressing me out for some reason. It makes me want to ignore what a j@ck@ss Depp is, and focus on something better like how cute their dogs are.
Actually, I’m most surprised Australia trusted private jets in the first place. Aren’t those people the most likely to be smuggling and therefore wealthy enough for their own plane?
What a pair of idiots. Anyone who has ever travelled to Australia knows that when it comes to their customs and immigration they do not f$%^ around.
Yes you are sooo right.. People must not watch Border Patrol Australia and I think they still spray the cabin when you land at least they did when we went years ago. There is a 20 page document he should have filled out and they would have been quarantined for 10 days. I am sure he has enough flunkies to research. Bugger off like he said lol.
Well, apparently they DO eff around, because they have different standards for the rich who come in on their private jets.
I think he’s moving to a new rental because the location of where he was staying was pretty much given away when some pap took pictures of the house showing the dogs through one of the glass doors and were plastered all over the news over there. It wouldn’t be safe for him to stay there now that potential stalkers know where he lives.
This is a really stupid situation he let himself get into and hopefully there aren’t any problems stateside. Also, I too hope he isn’t dumb enough to leave the country , only Amber really needs to accompany the dogs. He needs to stay behind and finish this job, too many people and too much money depends on him for him to be wasting time flying back and forth. Ugh, get it together Depp.
I get the distinct impression that Depp just does not want to do this film. His mysterious “injury” which required him to fly back to the US. Last I checked, Australia had pretty good physicians. Now personally accompanying his dogs, who he illegally smuggled into the country, back to the states. Something seems off. But if you check, all islands, even Hawaii have the same strict rules and for good reason.
But, he is so very wrong in what he did. I read an article in an Australian paper that listed examples of some of Australia bio diversity issues and they were serious and caused harm to the system. They are VERY serious and no one, not even Mr. “I am above the law” Depp can break the rules. And his behavior has changed the rules (probably for the better, since this shows rich idiots think they can do anything). I don’t think they would have harmed the dogs, but he needed a serious slap upside the head to get it out of his butt.
I agree with your distinct impression that he doesn’t want to do this film. He’s probably having some type of existential crisis. What does it all mean? What would Hunter S Thompson do? Scarves, man. Marlon Brando.
LOL!
I think I need more of Johnny Depp’s Stream of Consciousness thought process!
You win the comments today Shambles. Hilarious!
I totally agree with you about Johnny’s feelings about this film. I think he’s a mess because movies that he wanted to do – thought would bring him critical acclaim or at least box office success – have been miserable failures. Now, he is back doing Captain Jack which seems to be the only thing he has left to make money. Studios aren’t going to keep paying his fees for box office flops. I predict a lot of CGI Captain Jack in this movie.
I don’t know it seems like he taking any movie that comes his way, which have been crappy ones with him hiding behind a mask. Those movie’s really are no different then Pirates of the Caribbean and the other ones were just not good.
I think he’s burnt out and just need to take a long break from doing movies. So he can get his s*** together and then come back.
PETA needs to shut it. If Depp were more concerned about all the members of his family instead of his own bloated ego, he would have left the dogs at home, safe and supervised so they not only would not have been put through the stress of travel, but would have avoided any possible danger they would have faced had Barnaby Joyce indeed decided to play hardball and go through with his threat.
What a selfish tool he has become.
Shut up PETA. A violation of quarantine laws could potentially harm an entire Eco system and hundreds of animals. I really cannot stand their nonsense.
If Depp leaves because of this he’s just an idiot. Send the dogs with his “beloved?” wife and do your job!!
Poor dogs shuttled back and forth because of their idiotic owner. Hope it cost him a fortune. Bonus…more bad publicity for him.
I need Johnny to get his sh!t together so they can finish this damn 5th pirates movie and put this saga to rest. I love love love all things pirates, and I thought the first 3 films were great. But the 4th one sucked, and I’m really nervous about 5th one. If it’s as bad as the last one, it threatens to ruin the entire saga for me, which unacceptable. So, dearest scarfy, please act like a professional on set, and try to show up to the set at that, so you can put me out of my misery.
Unless the film makes two billion dollars, I’m guessing this will be the end of POTC films. I’m sure Disney fuming about the fiasco the filming has turned into, and they aren’t going to need Johnny once the Star Wars movies start getting released. Heck, they’ll probably get Princess Leia on the $20 bill.
PETA sucks and so does Special Snow Flake Johnny.
Leaving with the dogs would be a stupid thing for him to do. He’s not the victim here. He and his wife acted irresponsible and they’re the ones who put their dogs life on risk. They’re to blame and not Australian authorities.
The people working for POTC5 and their families already had to live without a paycheck due to a very strange incident or accident and now they face to get laid off again because of a highly selfish Amber Heard who acts as if she can’t spend a day without her doggies and a husband who’s unable to put his foot down to his wifes ridiculous demands.
Oh Johnny, how far you’ve fallen.
Maybe they return with his yacht and do it like Liz?
When Liz Taylor made a movie in the UK, she chartered a yacht in order to bring her dogs with her and to avoid the 6 month quarantine period. She lived with her dogs on the boat and they never stepped on english soil.
I just came to say, I love Amber’s entire outfit in the first photo. Where to find that red cardigan she’s wearing!
Yep – they don’t mess around at Aussie customs. I was waiting in line once at passport control and Jewel was a few people behind me, clutching her guitar case. Same rules for everyone, though I’m surprised to hear they don’t search private jets.
The thing I’ve learned from this is that PETA thinks sucking up to celebrities is better than supporting quarantine laws designed to protect local wildlife.
That is a ridiculous amount of traveling for an animal in such a short space of time.
Just when I think I won’t dislike him anymore…what happened Johnny?
If Johnny left on that plane he is on a direct flight to uninsurability.
It seems like self-sabotage, as some have said before. Maybe he’s mad at himself for “selling out,” so he’s punishing himself by ruining his own career?
I can’t give him that much credit. Seems like he fried the insight center of his brain somewhere along the way. He just looks miserable lately.
That too.
I was an exchange student in Australia for 6 months and, although there are certain aspects of the Ozzy culture upon which I frowned consistently, I very much respect their strict policy regarding embezzlement, illegal immigration and border protection.
Depp and his staff were extremely incautious and selfish in ignoring the potential repercussions of their foolish action. I praise the Australian Government for not bending the law to the advantage of just another ignorant, entitled celebrity.
Depp shouldn’t shoulder all the blame for this. Amber is also responsible for her dogs.
+ 1000
I paid around $3,000 to (legally) transport/import my dog into the UK. It’s frustrating that someone with so much money would try to circumvent the regulations.
Johnny..entitled much?
I don’t think PETA was missing the point at all. Quarantine laws for companion animals are totally bogus and some countries are phasing them out and drastically cutting back the times. We don’t quarantine humans, who pose a drastically larger risk of spreading infectious diseases, and placing these non-scientifically backed laws on the family dogs is pretty silly.
Australia actually does quarantine (some) people. If you are a bit darker than white, have a beard, wear hijab or burqa, have a Middle Eastern, Tamil, indian, Sri Lankan (and others) appearance, arrive without proper paperwork (despite some countries not actually having a place one
can obtain proper paperwork, or the possibility of being executed if you apply for the proper paperwork to leave that country), arrive in anything other than a commercial aeroplane, you will most likely be quarantined. Manus Island, Nauru, Christmas Island, for example, have very well known quarantine stations…
Um, Australia doesn’t have rabies because of these quarantine laws for companion animals. Case closed.
Australia has very strict customs laws for everyone. We’re happy for you to bring your companion animals if you follow our laws. Otherwise why the heck do you need to bring a puppy on a holiday?!
Leigh, the laws ARE scientifically backed. Australia has a fragile ecosystem, and any bacteria carried by animals can cause a serious risk. Australia has eradicated rabies, due to these laws. Dogs and birds in particular can carry an alarming amount of bacteria in their paws/feathers. These laws make good sense and are scientifically backed. Nobody even questions that. With all due respect I think you need to research our ecosystem and how harmful things can be, because you really don’t seem to understand.
More info to add on to my previous post, these are a good start: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZaC1kcZZlE (Steve Irwin ‘quarantine matters’ commercial) and http://www.agriculture.gov.au/pests-diseases-weeds/animal which lists only a few of the repercussions to Australia and things we have eradicated such as BSE, Rabies, Swine flu etc. Also http://www.outbreak.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx
Most countries have basic protocols for border crossing. Those of us in industrialized nations generally don’t have to worry beyond having the proper paperwork (passports, etc.) because the majority of us have access to proper medical care, vaccinations, etc. If Depp and Heard didn’t have that information available, they would likely be quarantined or held.
I thought PETA had a spectacularly high kill ratio on pets brought to their shelters because they don’t believe people should own pets.
Oh, but now the pups are members of the family. Fine, but you don’t get to smuggle your kids into foreign countries without paperwork either.
Yeah, I was scratching my head at that. I wish PETA would pick an argument and stick to it. One of their main charters is that animals should be free to roam – all animals – and not be kept as pets. Now they are saying they are part of the family, after they have spent an enormous amount of time telling us that ‘owning’ an animal is bad? As you said, they’d rather put animals down and they do, in alarming numbers, than allow people to adopt them. Unless they have drastically changed their core beliefs, they need to be consistent when they weigh in on these things.
According to the australian press nor Johnny nor Amber left Australia. The dogs were accompanied back to the States by Johnny’s in-laws, Paige and David Heard (there are pictures of them arriving in a band to the hangar along with the car of the dogs and the security, etc)
Here you have them: Paige and David Heard arriving to the airport
http://blog-imgs-74.fc2.com/j/o/n/jonylove/941883-5ddc31cc-faeb-11e4-8bbc-a4e8f2601378.jpg
But Johnny and Amber were mere hours to left the country, which would have delayed the production of the movie and cost U$250.000 per day to the producers because “pet-delays” aren’t covered by the movie insurance (as it was with the main actor broke his hand) so they convinced him to stay
Quarantine laws for pestilence control. Makes sense. Every country has got such laws.
Amber Heard’s fame whoring and money grubbing ways are really starting annoy me. I can just see the scheming smug radiating from her.
It also annoys me that Depp wasn’t probably searched by customs when he came into the country. He was asked if he had anything to declare and he just said no and they let him through. He could’ve had bags of coke on him or anything. It’s BS.
They thought hey, private plane, tiny dogs, what’s the biggie. Well now they know.
But I would be tempted too if I were going to Australia for a while without my fur ball.
But whoever that Aussie official is, he sure made one big fool of himself threatening the murder of those little things in public. eew.