'Pirates of the Caribbean 5' star Johnny Depp and wife apologise; ask people to respect Australian laws

“Pirates of the Caribbean 5” star Johnny Depp and his wife Amber Heard made a video to apologise for not declaring their dogs at customs when they entered Australia. In the court mandated apology video, the couple asked people to respect the laws of the land.

“Australia is a wonderful island,” Heard said at the beginning of the video. She pointed out that the country has a “treasure-trove” of unique plants, animals and people. Depp adds that these treasures have to be protected.

With strict bio-security laws, Australia has managed to be free from many pests and diseases that are common across the globe, Heard said. Depp said that Aussies are “warm” people, but they are also “direct,” especially when it comes to the law.

“When you disrespect Australian law they will tell you firmly,” Depp said in the video. Heard says that she is “truly sorry” for not declaring her dogs Pistol and Boo to the Australian customs officials when she entered the country with her husband. The couple were here as a part of the “Pirates of the Caribbean 5” cast and crew.

“Protecting Australia is important,” Heard said. Depp urged the viewers to declare everything when they enter the country. Heard appeared in the Southport Magistrates Court in Queensland on 18 April after being charged with illegally importing her dogs in April last year.

Heard pleaded guilty to one count of producing a false document. The dogs were apparently not mentioned in her Incoming Passenger Card. Anyone who enters Australia is required to list everything they are carrying on the Incoming Passenger Card.

The dogs are not the only news about “Pirates of the Caribbean 5” that made headlines. Depp suffered a minor injury while filming in Australia and had to fly back to the US. The movie also overshot its initial budget by at least $70 million (about AU $90 million).

Credit: YouTube/ Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources