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Johnny Depp could face jail time for bringing dogs into Australia

Though the actor removed his pets from the country before a deadly deadline passed, Johnny Depp may face serious consequences.
/ Source: TODAY

The drama over Johnny Depp's decision to bring his dogs into Australia without quarantine is far from over.

While the actor removed his two Yorkshire terriers, Boo and Pistol, from the country before a deadly deadline passed, Depp himself could now be facing serious consequences for the violating the pet-related regulations.

The Australian government takes its biosecurity laws seriously, and as such an ongoing investigation into the incident was brought up during a Monday Senate committee hearing.

Johnny Depp’s dogs leave Australia
The actor sent his two pet terriers back to the U.S. after Aussie officials threatened to euthanize them, saying he brought them into the country illegally. NBC’s Joe Fryer reports.TODAY

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, it was revealed that if the country pursues a case against Depp, he could face jail time of up to 10 years or a maximum fine of $265,000.

Depp, like his dogs, is currently out of the country. He had been there working on the next installment in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie franchise.

Australian government threatens to euthanize Johnny Depp’s dogs
Officials are threatening to euthanize the actor’s two pet terriers, saying he brought them into Australia illegally. NBC’s Kelly Cobiella reports.TODAY

It's been almost two weeks since Australian agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce announced that Depp's dogs were in the country illegally. At the time, Joyce gave Depp 50 hours to remove the dogs or they'd be euthanized.

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