Johnny Depp's Australian quarantine problems

Johnny Depp and wife Amber Heard

Hollywood star Johnny Depp isn't going to remember his latest trip down under as a happy experience.  He was either unaware of our quarantine laws for bringing his two Yorkshire Terriers into the country, or he knew about them and decided they didn't apply to him.

Boo and Pistol arrived in Depp's private plane last month so he could resume filming the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie on the Gold Coast.

Agriculture Minister, Barnaby Joyce

Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce is not a happy man.  He was made aware of the situation when they were spotted being taken to a dog groomer on the Gold Coast.

"If dogs come in and they have rabies...the whole life in Brisbane changes.  Think how close it is, it's in Bali, just next door, it's not fanciful stuff.  Therefore, we are very diligent about what comes into our nation."

"If he really can't live without Pistol and Boo, he has to get them to go through the appropriate quarantine process like all the other dogs."

The minimum quarantine period for all animals entering Australia is ten days.

Pistol and Boo 

Minister Jones said it wasn't fair that movie stars get preferential treatment.  "Why don't we just break the laws for everybody?" he said. "It's time that Pistol and Boo buggered off back to the United States."

Edit 16 May 2015:   Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce told ABC radio today "I'm informed that Pistol and Boo are preparing to fly out on a private jet back to the United States, which is the best news that I've got."  He said the fact the dogs were not declared to Customs was a concern for Australia because the dogs come from a country that has rabies. “Pistol and Boo have had their lives threatened by the actions of Mr Depp” he said.