Depp could get 10 years in prison for bringing dogs to Australia

Johnny Depp’s dog-smuggling stunt in Australia could land the actor up to 10 years in prison.

Depp was in Australia filming the latest installment of Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” series. He ignored the country’s biosecurity laws by bringing his two Yorkshire terries, Pistol and Boo, into Australia without documentation.

If the issue goes to court, an Australian Senate committee says Depp could be behind bars for a decade or pay a $265,000 fine, People reports.

Government officials are investigating how the dogs were brought into the country, saying Depp failed to declare his pets on arrival slips at customs.

Whether flying commercial or private, air travelers are required to declare dogs on arrival slips at customs.

Depp’s actions violated Australia’s customs and quarantine laws, which accounts for live animals and animal byproducts: “You must declare for inspection all food, plant material and animal products on arrival in Australia to ensure they are free of pests and diseases,” australia.gov.au states.

According to Australia’s Department of Agriculture, all dogs coming from Category 3 countries like the United States, countries in which rabies is absent or well-controlled, Australia can legally dispose of the animal in violation of the law. Without proper permits, the animal “may be returned to the country of export or euthanized at the importer’s expense.”

Depp thwarted plans to euthanize the animals by sending them on a private jet back to the U.S.

Contact Ashley Casper at acasper@reviewjournal.com. Find her on Twitter: @TheCasperA