Amber Heard to fight dog smuggling charges

Amber Heard has pleaded not guilty to illegally importing her pet dogs into Australia. The 29-year-old actress - whose husband is Hollywood star Johnny Depp - is "looking forward" to fighting the charges after she was accused of violating the nation's biosecurity laws by bringing the couple's pet dogs, Pistol and Boo, into the country by private jet in May. Amber, who is also charged with producing a false document, said in a statement via her lawyers: "My decision to defend these charges, as will become apparent in the appropriate forum of the court, is not intended to in any way diminish the importance of Australia's laws. "I look forward to attending the hearing of these matters ... Whilst I am unable to comment on the specific matters before the court I would like to say that I respect the importance of Australia's laws." The blonde beauty's case was adjourned for the fourth time at Southport Magistrates' Court in Queensland, Australia today (07.12.15), and a five-day trial is to be heard next year. Amber's lawyers revealed her husband might appear at the case but he doesn't want "his presence to be disruptive of this court". The actress is yet to appear in court and said in the statement that her lawyers had told her "there has been no necessity for me to attend court to date despite my willingness to do so". Amber faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail if she is found guilty. Johnny recently joked he would "assault" Australian politician Barnaby Joyce if his wife is sent to prison.