Depp threatens Joyce with 'assault'

In the long-running saga over Johnny Depp's dogs, the Hollywood star has now threatened to "assault" Barnaby Joyce if his wife is handed a jail sentence.

Hollywood star Johnny Depp and his wife Amber Heard. (AAP) Source: ABACA USA

Johnny Depp has threatened drastic action against Barnaby Joyce if his wife is sentenced to any jail time in Australia over the unauthorised entry of their pet dog.

In his first US TV interview since the drama unfolded in May, Depp has told Jimmy Kimmel Live he and Amber Heard were left stunned when the agriculture minister held a news conference and threatened to kill the animals.

The Yorkshire terriers were brought into the country without the proper permits when the actor was shooting the latest Pirates of the Caribbean film, and the couple were told the dogs had 48 hours to leave or would be put down.

"This sort of weird, sweaty-pated, gut-man who decided that two five (or) six-inch tea-cup Yorkshire terriers would harm the country in some way, he's got a point, especially when you consider that Australia has the most poisonous creatures on Earth... everything will kill you within minutes," Depp said.

Heard, 29, has been accused of violating Australia's biosecurity laws by bringing the dogs, Pistol and Boo, into the country via private jet without official documentation.

If found guilty, she faces a hefty fine and up to 10 years in prison.

"If they did that I'd just fly to Australia and assault that man, so that I could go to jail (too)," Depp said.