SYDNEY — Facing the threat of imminent death, Johnny Depp’s dogs Pistol and Boo were preparing today to flee Australia after the agriculture minister angrily accused the Hollywood actor of sneaking the pups into the country.

Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce said he was told the Yorkshire terriers were expected to return to the U.S. aboard a private jet, after the government ordered the actor to get his dogs out of Australia by Saturday or they would be euthanized.

Joyce told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. the dogs’ imminent departure was “the best news that I’ve got.”