Johnny Depp, Amber Heard issue apology for dog smuggling
Heard avoided jail time after pleading guilty to providing a false immigration document amid allegations she smuggled the couple's dogs into Australia
Johnny Depp and his wife Amber Heard have released a bizarre apology video after the actress pleaded guilty to a charge stemming from her 'dog-smuggling' case.
The clip was released online after it was played in an Australian court today, and it has since become an Internet sensation.
The blonde beauty, 29, was accused of sneaking the couple's two dogs into Australia illegally last year in a row which was dubbed the 'war on terriers'.
She agreed a deal with prosecutors to admit one charge of falsifying border protection documents and a conviction was not recorded.
Amber appeared in court in the Gold Coast today, and a magistrate handed her a one-month good behavior bond.
Click here to watch the video apology
She will be fined if she breaks the conditions of the court order, but she has escaped a criminal conviction.
Johnny, 52, supported her at the hearing, and helped her record an apology video which was played in court.
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In the footage, the couple look sombre as they praised Australia as a beautiful country and urged other travellers to respect the strict importation laws.
Amber said: "Australia is a wonderful island with a treasure trove of unique plants, animals and people" and her husband added: "It has to be protected..."
Johnny continued: "Australians are just as unique, both warm and direct... When you disrespect Australian law they will tell you firmly."
Amber then apologized for bringing the couple's terriers, Pistol and Boo, into the country last year without the proper permits, adding: "I am truly sorry Pistol and Boo were not declared...
"Protecting Australia is important".
Johnny then concludes: "Declare everything when you enter Australia".
The clip sent fans into a frenzy as they watched Johnny and Amber put on their most solemn faces for the apology, and many called it his worst acting performance EVER.
One wrote: "Is Johnny Depp blinking for help in Morse code?" and another added: "Not going to win Oscars is it - #JohnnyDepp & #AmberHeard Australian government video. Now say it with conviction..."
The video has sparked a wave of memes and online gags.
Another Twitter user wrote: "Next time I enter Australia I am going to declare that I am Spartacus. "Declare everything when you enter Australia" thanks Johnny depp."
Reports suggest the Edward Scissorhands star was battling jetlag during the court hearing, and nodded off while Amber's defence lawyers were giving their statements.
Amber is believed to have elbowed her husband to wake him up.
The case became headline news last year when Amber was accused of bringing the pets into Australia illegally while Johnny was the country filming the next Pirates of the Caribbean movie.
She is believed to have brought the dogs in via private jet and failed to declare them on her immigration card.
Australia's then-agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce went on to spark a public war-of-words with the Hollywood stars by threatening to have the dogs put down unless they were removed from the country.
Johnny later fired back by branding the politician a "sweaty, big-gutted man from Australia".
The row over the dogs was branded Joyce's 'war on terriers' and Amber faced up to 10 years in prison after she was charged with illegally importing the dogs.
The more serious charges were later dropped as part of her deal with prosecutors.
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