The Dogs Are Safe, But Now Johnny Depp Is Facing Ten Years In Prison

The latest bizarre twist to Johnny Depp’s dog-smuggling stoush could see the Pirates star spending ten years in Australian prison.

According to Sky News, an investigation is being undertaken to see whether Depp or the pilot of his private jet should be prosecuted for not declaring pet pups Pistol and Boo upon their arrival in Brisbane earlier this year.

Depp traveled to our shores to shoot the fifth Pirates of the Caribbean film, and, now infamously, get his Yorkshire terriers groomed at a Gold Coast salon. When pictures of the dogs in question were shared on social media, Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce threatened the canines with execution.

A Senate committee was yesterday told that if Depp was found guilty of illegally importing the dogs, he would face a maximum penalty of ten years in prison or, more reasonably, a maximum fine of $340,000.

That first thing probably won’t happen, but still, Australia isn’t likely to go back on Johnny’s list of preferred holiday destinations any time soon.

Parliamentary Secretary Senator Richard Colbeck told a hearing on Monday, "There's a lot of people who are much more informed of our biosecurity regime internationally as a result of this event," before adding, “It’s been a pretty good advertisement for our system.”

That is a very impressive glass-half-full analysis of the situation!