Safe and sound and almost on U.S. soil! Following a controversy Down Under, pet parent Johnny Depp has complied with Australian authorities' demands to remove his Yorkshire terriers, Boo and Pistol, from the country after he allegedly "snuck" them in via private jet.
Filming the fifth Pirates of the Caribbean flick in Brisbane, Depp, 51, is accused of bringing the dogs into the country without proper permits, according to Australia's agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce. Depp returned to Australia with his wife, Amber Heard, and allegedly the dogs, after having hand surgery in the U.S.
"There is a process, you get the permits, they go into quarantine, then you can have them. If we start letting movie stars, even though they've been the sexiest man alive twice, to come into our nation, why don't we just break the laws for everybody?" said Joyce, arguing that Depp's pups breached biosecurity laws and could have brought in and spread infectious diseases.
Pistol and Boo were given 50 hours to leave Australia or be euthanized.
In order for animals to enter the country, they must undergo rigorous medical testing to ensure everything is up to snuff. Emelye Bunny, the manager of UK-based PBS Pet Travel, told CNN a blood sample must be submitted 180 days before travel, along with proof of a rabies vaccination. Prior to their trip, dogs and cats need parasite treatments and a government export certificate from Britain's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Upon arrival, animals are quarantined for 10 days.
Certain European citizens (and their cats, dogs, and ferrets) can apply for a "pet passport" for travel between countries.