Johnny Depp Once Joked He Would 'Assault' Australia's Agriculture Minister If Amber Heard Was Sent to Jail

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Amber Heard was granted a temporary restraining order against Johnny Depp on Friday after claiming that he was violent with her, but prior to his estranged wife's allegations, the actor had joked about having a short fuse. 

Last September, Depp broke his silence on Jimmy Kimmel Live! about how he and Heard had been officially charged last July with two counts of illegally importing their dogs, Pistol and Boo, into Australia -- one count being of producing a false document. "We were under the impression we had all the paperwork done for the dogs," Depp explained. "We were there with the dogs in front of everybody."

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The 52-year-old star went on to criticize Australian Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce, who threatened to euthanize the dogs unless they were taken back to California.

"This kind of weird, sweaty ...gut-man, who decided that you know, like, two, five, six-inch teacup Yorkshire terriers would harm the country in some way -- he's got a point, considering that Australia has the most poisonous creatures on Earth," Depp said sarcastically. "Everything will kill you in minutes."


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However, he wasn't in such a joking mood when asked about the threats to put Heard in jail. The 30-year-old actress' illegal importation charges carried a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $75,000 fine, while the false document charge carried a penalty of a year in prison and a fine of $7,500.

"If they did that, I'd just fly to Australia and assault that man," Depp said of the the actress' possible jail sentence. "So that I could go to jail."


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Per the temporary restraining order granted to Heard on Friday, Depp is to stay at least 100 feet from Heard, but her request to keep him from their dogs, Pistol and Boo, was not granted, with the judge citing insufficient evidence.

Last June, Heard gave ET an update on Pistol and Boo's well-being. "They're good despite attempts by certain rogue thug Australian government officials, they are all right," she said.


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It's not yet confirmed who will have custody of the couple's pets once their divorce is final, but a source told ET that Pistol will most definitely live with Heard. "Her ex-girlfriend Tasya [van Ree] gave her the dog, so of course she will keep him," the source said. "Tasya was Amber’s only other long-term partner."

As for Boo, the source thinks that pup may also go to Heard, as the Magic Mike XXL star may have gotten him before she married Depp.

In the state of California, where Heard filed for divorce, pets are considered personal property under state property laws.