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Johnny Depp could face prison over dog imports
Johnny Depp
Australia's agriculture minister warned the dogs would be euthanised unless they left the country within two days.

Actor failed to declare two dogs on entering Australia

Johnny Depp could face up to 10 years in prison and a heavy fine after illegally importing his two dogs into Australia.

Earlier this month, the Pirates of the Caribbean star flew to Australia on a private jet, to film the fifth instalment of the series, Dead Men Tell No Tales.

The actor entered the country without declaring his two Yorkshire terriers Boo and Pistol, breaking the country's stringent quarantine laws, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

This appears to have come to light after the dogs visited a local grooming parlour, which subsequently posted a picture on their Facebook page.

The story made headlines when Australia's agriculture minister warned the dogs would be euthanised unless they left the country within two days.

The dogs have since returned to the US, but according to the Sydney Morning Herald, an Australian senate committee was told if the case goes to court, Depp could face a lengthy prison sentence and maximum fines of AU$340,000 (£172,000). The pilot could also face two years in prison.

 

Image attribution: Everett Collection/Shutterstock.com

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Annual submission deadline small pet animal exemptions

News Story 1
 Companies marketing medicines for small pets exempt from authorisation must submit their annual return to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) by 30 November 2026.

Submitting this annual return ensures continued compliance with regulatory requirements for products marketed without a full Marketing Authorisation. The exemption specifically applies to products intended for animals, cage birds, terrarium animals, small rodents, ferrets and rabbits.

For further details and submission guidelines, visit the gov.uk website.  

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News Shorts
Bluetongue RZ extended across Scotland

The Scottish Government has announced an extension to a Bluetongue Restricted Zone that is in place in south-west Scotland.

From 3 October, the Restricted Zone will be extended to cover the whole of Scotland. The Animal, Plant and Health Agency (APHA) says this is in response to further disease spread, as well as simplify trading conditions ahead of the autumn.

Since the whole country will share a disease status, it will no longer be necessary to have a movement license to move susceptible livestock around the country. Restrictions on germinal products remain.

As of 1 October 2026, there were 1,979 cases of BTV-3 in England, 389 cases in Wales and 40 cases in Scotland.