Superstar’s dogs Depp-arture
JOHNNY DEPP’S pooches have left Australia and are bound for the United States.
The Department of Agriculture confirmed on Friday night that the infamous Yorkshire terriers, Pistol and Boo, had returned to their ‘‘country of origin’’.
Seven News reported they had departed Coolangatta Airport on the Gold Coast.
‘‘A Department of Agriculture officer has escorted the two dogs from the property in Queensland, where they had been held under quarantine order, to the airport for their flight home,’’ the department said in a statement.
‘‘The department issued the necessary export documentation and correspondence to the relevant veterinary authority to facilitate the repatriation of the dogs.
‘‘All costs associated with returning the dogs were met by the owners.’’
Earlier in the evening, Depp’s black Range Rover sped from his Coomera mansion, followed by a car with his father-in-law Michael Heard about 90 minutes later.
There were reports relatives of Depp’s wife Amber Heard would accompany the dogs out of the country. Pistol and Boo were given a Saturday deadline to leave the country when it emerged they were brought into Australia illegally.
Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce warned the pair would be euthanised if they didn’t ‘‘bugger off’’ back to the United States.
Earlier on Friday, Agriculture released the Department of a statement saying it was investigating how the dogs were brought into Australia without an import permit.
‘‘Private jets are subject to the same strict biosecurity requirements as any other aircraft or vessel entering Australia,’’ the department said.
‘‘ Import conditions for dogs being imported from the USA have been developed to protect Australia from a number of pests and diseases. These include rabies, ehrlichia, leishmania, leptospirosis and internal and external parasites.’’
The Agriculture Department was alerted to Pistol and Boo’s illegal immigration down under after the pooches were taken to a Gold Coast dog salon and images were posted on social media.
More than 18,000 people have signed an online petition calling on the dogs to be saved. Depp, his wife and the dogs were staying at a Gold Coast mansion in Coomera owned by former grand prix motorcycle champion Mick Doohan.
Media had spent two days camped outside the property waiting for a glimpse of two of the world’s most famous dogs.