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Australia drops charges over Amber Heard
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard
The Hollywood couple have apologised for their actions.

Illegally took dogs into country with husband Johnny Depp
 
An Australian court has dropped charges against actress Amber Heard for illegally taking her dogs into the country.

Ms Heard, who is married to actor Johnny Depp, pleaded guilty to falsifying customs paperwork about her Yorkshire terriers, Pistol and Boo.

But the Queensland judge gave her a one-month good behaviour bond of $1,000 with no conviction and a glowing character assessment.

The Hollywood couple apologised for their actions in a video in which Amber says: “I am truly sorry that Pistol and Boo were not declared, protecting Australia is important.”

When Ms Heard first arrived in Brisbane by private jet last year (21 April) she ticked a box on her passenger arrival card which indicated that she did not have any animals.

The story hit the headlines after the couple visited a local grooming parlour, which subsequently posted a picture on Facebook.

Australia’s agriculture minister warned that the dogs would be euthanised unless they left the country within two days.

The dogs later returned to the US, but the couple were warned that if the case went to court, Amber could face up to 10 years in prison and a hefty fine.

Image (C) YouTube/Australian Government of Agriculture and Water Resources.

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.