SYDNEY

Actor Johnny Depp’s wife Amber Heard pleaded guilty today to providing a false immigration document when the couple brought their two dogs into Australia last year, but she managed to avoid jail time over what was dubbed the “war on terrier” debacle.

Prosecutors dropped more serious charges that Heard illegally imported the Yorkshire terriers, Pistol and Boo, into the country while Depp was filming the fifth movie in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” series. A conviction on the two illegal importation counts could have sent the actress to prison for up to 10 years.

Depp and Heard said little to the waiting throng of reporters and fans outside the Southport Magistrates Court on Queensland state’s Gold Coast, but they did submit a videotaped apology to the court that was played during today’s hearing.

It drew gibes online for the couple’s grim, wooden appearance as Heard apologized and they both expressed support for protecting Australia’s biodiversity, the aim of the strict quarantine regulations that were violated.

“When you disrespect Australian law,” Depp says in the video, “they will tell you firmly.”

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