Johnny Depp Could Face 10 Years In Prison for Dog Smuggling

[last5oh_302]

By now, most people know about Johnny Depp and the problems he’s facing with the Australian government. He stands accused of trying to smuggle his dogs into the country, and law enforcement seems hell-bent on punishing him to the full extent.
Depp could possibly be facing a ten year prison term for the charges. Apparently dog smuggling in Australia is a big problem. Not only is there the prison term, but there could also be fines totaling over $340,000! The pilot that brought Depp and company into the country could also get two years in jail.
Boo and Pistol, Depp’s Yorkshire terriers, were flown back to the United States earlier in the month. Officials were threatening to out the dogs down, and all just because they were not checked in at customs properly. Seems a bit extreme, doesn’t it?
The laws in Australia state that any dogs being brought into the country be quarantined for a minimum of ten days. It’s in place to protect other native animals from any potential diseases, and also to protect your pets from any health issues as well.
“If we start letting movie stars, even though they’ve been the sexiest man alive twice, to come into our nation, then why don’t we just break the laws for everybody?” said Barnaby Joyce. Joice is the Minister Australian Agriculture.
For now, the dogs are safe back in the U.S. with Depp’s wife, Amber Heard. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2015/05/j...dog-smuggling/

[MikePal]

If you watch Border Security Australia...those folks take the quarantine issues VERY seriously. I suspect there will be a substantial fine..but who knows...they sentenced a guy to 72 days last year for smuggling birds eggs in..LOL.

http://newsroom.customs.gov.au/relea...ered-bird-eggs

[Angus]

I don't take disease control as personal, nor do I think it was an attack on Depp, or his cute named pets.
It's common sense and part of the world we live in.

[terrym]

They should treat the little self entitled prince like any other person. The Aussies don't seem as star struck as North America where Oprah can buy a Presidency and Hollywood airheads are considered authorities on everything. Washington and Hollywood are far too inbred.

[Dakota Creek]

"It seems a bit extreme doesn't it?"

Don't think so ... He blatantly ignored the Australian governments quarantine rules!

[seabast]

The law is the law, no?! If you don't like it don't go there. A guy like him should know better than that.

[last5oh_302]

The one rumour I read said those two Yorkies aren't even his.

Gotta hand it to Australia though. They've really been proving they aren't going to take any crap in a few different arenas.

[Mattones]

He will only get a slap on the wrist aka fine

[last5oh_302]

He will only get a slap on the wrist aka fine

Yeah, probably, but 340 grand will still make a good statement even though it's likely just a spit in the bucket for Depp. It will be interesting to see.

[trimmer21]

Anything we see in the scandal rags is unmitigated bullshyte--pure and simple. Depp had his dogs vaccinated,safely crated and well tended to under international protocol and was travelling with them as he usually does. They were transported openly,not "hidden" like the tabs would have us believe. In order to lay a smuggling charge,Australian law is almost identical to ours. There must be "intent" which quite clearly,there wasn't,so,there goes any smuggling charge right out the window,from the get-go. When confronted by Australian Customs regarding importation of animals,Depp arranged immediate transport for his dogs out of the country back home. At this point,from everything I've read in Australian media,no further action will be taken.