Johnny Depp’s dogs could be left stateless, says Barnaby Joyce
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Version 0 of 1. Hollywood star Johnny Depp’s pet dogs could be left stateless if the United States does not let them back into the country, after Australia ordered them to get out or face being put down. The 51-year old actor did not declare the two Yorkshire terriers, Boo and Pistol, when he landed in Brisbane airport on his private jet last month, in contravention of Australia’s strict quarantine and biosecurity laws. On Thursday morning, the agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce said the animals had 50 hours to get out of the country or face being put down. Related: Johnny Depp's dogs on death row after being 'snuck' into Australia But it seems Pistol and Boo may not have had the proper paperwork when they were departing their home state of California, which could pose difficulties when they try to go back. “They obviously got on the plane in the United States without telling the United States authorities that they were leaving,” Joyce told ABC radio on Friday morning. “Technically, if they absconded [without] the proper process of authorisation in leaving the States, does the US recognise that they’re here? They’re stateless dogs.” “Pistol and Boo have had their lives threatened by the actions of Mr Depp.” Depp and his wife Amber Heard are preparing to leave the Gold Coast, where Depp is filming the fifth Pirates of the Caribbean movie, on Friday night. They have not spoken publicly to the media to explain whether they had intentionally deceived authorities, or whether an error was made in the paperwork. Either way, they will face a hefty fine. The immigration minister Peter Dutton has ordered a full report into how the animals passed through customs without the appropriate clearance. Related: Johnny Depp's dogs: their only crime was being born into a life of privilege | Elle Hunt The agriculture minister did not step back from the threat to put the dogs down, saying Australia’s strict biosecurity laws were in place to protect local flora and fauna. “Quite obviously, my preference is not to have to destroy these two dogs. I mean, who would want to do that? But if we get caught in a corner, that is what we do, and we are not going to make an exemption for Mr Depp or anybody else,” Joyce said. “Don’t take this as a joke. This isn’t a joke for us. Each country is sensitive about something, and we’re very sensitive about our biosecurity laws.” Joyce said dignitaries had in the past brought bullfrogs into the country, which were then euthanised. The federal industry minister, Ian Macfarlane, said the illegal canine cargo was no laughing matter.“I don’t think we declared war on two terriers,” Macfarlane said in Gladstone, Queensland.“We’ve given the owner of the dogs the option of taking them out of the country and bringing them back in if he so wishes through a proper process ... you cannot have exceptions if you want to keep diseases and pests out of this country.” The founder of the Palmer United party, Clive Palmer, said that Joyce had made Australia an international laughing stock. “The simple solution would be to put the dogs into quarantine today, rather than threaten to kill them,’’ Palmer said. “This is nothing but an embarrassing act of grandstanding by Barnaby Joyce which will result in a bad reputation for Australia and hurt the struggling film industry on the Gold Coast.” On Friday morning Joyce had an acrimonious exchange on the matter with the Sydney radio KISS FM host Kyle Sandilands, who accused the minister of sounding like a “clown” and an “idiot” in his comments about the dogs. Joyce responded: “That’s interesting coming from you, mate, you’re the No.1 clown on the radio.” Sandilands said Joyce was “an absolute joke”. “I’m going off because you sound like an insensitive wanker, Barnaby,” he told the minister. |