Australian Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce accused the actor Johnny Depp, 51, of smuggling his two Yorkshire terriers last April 21 when he came back to Australia to resume filming the fifth installment of the movie series, "Pirates of the Caribbean."

On Wednesday, Johnny Depp and his wife Amber Heard, 29, were given 72 hours to send their dogs back to the U.S. or face euthanasia. This is due to Australia's very strict quarantine regulations in order to prevent rabies or other diseases from spreading in the country.  

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Joyce released a televised statement saying, "Mr. Depp has to either take his dogs back to California or we're going to have to euthanize them."  

His statement caused a minor uproar on social media by dog lovers and Depp's fans. Using the Twitter hashtag #WarOnTerrier, thousands even signed a petition that beseeched the Agriculture minister to have mercy on the dogs.

One posting even created a countdown based on Joyce's deadline that says, "It's almost time to kill Johnny Depp's dogs."

A source has confirmed that the dogs are now on their way to the States via private plane.

According to reports, authorities were alerted when it was learned that Johnny Depp's handler had hidden the two dogs inside a handbag to a dog groomer. Happy Dogz, the grooming salon in Maudsland, Queensland, posted a photo on its Facebook page showing Depp with one of the dogs.  

Along with the picture, the message read: "It's an honor to be grooming Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's two Yorkshire Terriers."

According to reports, a biosecurity officer then discovered the dogs inside a Gold Coast house on Wednesday.

It is not known whether further action against Johnny Depp will be pursued for breaching quarantine regulations.

The Agriculture Department is now investigating how Johnny Depp's dogs were smuggled in through Brisbane Airport without the required import documentation. The opposition Labor Party is now questioning government for the breakdown of biosecurity due to cutbacks in quarantine funding.   

TagsJohnny Depp, Johnny Depp dogs, Australia, Yorkshire terriers, Dogs, pets, Pirates of the Caribbean, euthanasia