World

Amber Heard charged over dogs' visit

10:45 am on 16 July 2015

Johnny Depp's wife Amber Heard has been charged with breaching biosecurity rules by bringing two dogs into Australia on the actor's private jet.

Johnny Depp, accompanied by his then-fiancee Amber Heard, at Tokyo International Airport on 26 January 2015. Photo: AFP

Ms Heard has been issued with a summons and is due to appear in a court in Queensland in September.

She has been charged with two counts of illegal importation contrary to Australia's Quarantine Act and one count of producing a false document.

Penalties include fines of up to $100,000 or up to 10 years imprisonment.

Yorkshire terriers Pistol (pictured) and Boo made international headlines earlier this year. Photo: AAP / Instagram

The Yorkshire terriers - Pistol and Boo - made international headlines in May when they were flown into Australia aboard Mr Depp's private jet while he and Ms Heard were on the Gold Coast, where Mr Depp has been filming the latest Pirates Of The Caribbean film.

A photo of the two dogs was shared on social media by a Gold Coast dog grooming salon, almost three weeks after they arrived in the country.

Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce issued an ultimatum to Mr Depp, saying the dogs should "bugger off" back to the United States or be put down.

Pistol and Boo were flown back to the United States a few days later.

- ABC / AAP