Depp dogs saga could deter stars: Doohan

Film stars like Johnny Depp will be less likely to come to Australia after the saga surrounding the actor's dogs, his friend Mick Doohan has warned.

The five-time motorcycle racing world champion said although he thinks Depp found the ordeal "quite humorous", he was surprised about the media attention over smuggling in his pooches Pistol and Boo.

The so-called "war on terrier" made international headlines when Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce threatened to have them put down if they weren't removed from the country after they were brought in illegally on a private jet.

Depp has been staying at Doohan's Coomera mansion during filming for the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

"I think Australia will struggle to get people out here if that's the way they carry on," Doohan told reporters during a road safety campaign launch in Brisbane on Wednesday.

"To be honest, I think he thinks it's quite humorous and how just wanting to leave the country to visit his daughter can be such big news.

"He's a humorous type of guy, I think he's just disappointed about how it's been relentless."

Depp and actor wife Amber Heard have been reunited with their dogs in Los Angeles after returning to celebrate Depp's daughter Lily-Rose's 16th birthday.