Johnny Depp Facing 10 Years in Prison For Bringing Dogs to Australia?

Will they put Johnny Depp behind bars for bringing his dogs to Australia?

The actor got into hot water recently as it was revealed that he had, in effect, smuggled his pets into the country. Apparently, such an act merited a punishment equivalent to a decade in jail.

"Government officials have confirmed Hollywood superstar Johnny Depp could face up to 10 years in prison or a maximum fine of $340,000 for illegally bringing his two dogs into Australia," The Sydney Morning Herald reported. "His pilot could face up to two years in prison for his role in the undeclared importing of Pistol and Boo."

Previously, Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce had said that he would have the actor's dogs put down after the pets were smuggled into the country.

An investigation revealed that customs officials were unable to find the dogs when they went on the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star's private jet before its passengers disembarked.

"The dogs - now safely evacuated to the United States - were only discovered and apprehended after they became 'film stars on Facebook,'" SMH noted.

The dogs were brought into a local pet shop for "pampering." But when photos of the furry creatures were uploaded on social media, the flurry it caused caught the attention of government officials concerned with the pets' illegal entry. The dogs had not undergone the mandatory quarantine process upon their arrival in Australia.

Johnny's wife Amber Heard had left Australia with the dogs before the 2-day deportation deadline set by the government expired, after which the terriers would have been put down had the advisory been ignored. Her abrupt departure had sparked rumors of a rift between the couple.

However, it was soon dispelled once it was clear that Amber's exit was due to the dog smuggling issue. In its place were speculations that Johnny had later left the "Pirates 5" set to go after his wife and pets - a rumor that had been dismissed by the actor's publicist, The Guardian said.

Meanwhile, a close friend of Johnny's said that the actor found the whole situation funny.

"To be honest I think he thinks it's quite humorous and how him just wanting to leave he country to visit his daughter can be such big news," Johnny's pal Mick Doohan told the Courier Mail. Johnny had stayed at the five-time motorcycle world champion's home while filming the upcoming "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie.

"He's a humorous type of guy, I think he's just disappointed about how its been relentless," Mick added.

The publication went on to say that Johnny did leave Australia and went back to Los Angeles in time for his daughter's 16^th birthday. He will reportedly be back to continue working on the film before production closes shop in July this year.

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