Depp's dogs case adjourned

Sweaty, big-gutted men from Australia may have forced her dogs back the United States but nothing would make Johnny Depp's wife appear in a Queensland court.

Film star Amber Heard was summonsed to appear at Southport Magistrates Court on Monday after an alleged biosecurity breach by the superstar couple earlier this year.

Terriers Boo and Pistol became worldwide sensations when Heard and Depp allegedly brought the pampered pooches to the Gold Coast without declaring them to quarantine.

The incident prompted Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce to say it was time both dogs "buggered off" back to the US, imposing a 48-hour deadline for the canines to be flown out of Australia.

At the Venice Film Festival over the weekend Depp appeared untroubled, joking that a "sweaty, big-gutted man from Australia" had given him direct orders to kill and eat the dogs, in what is believed to be a swipe at the Nationals MP.

Despite the summons, possible penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment and fines of up to $100,000 for the alleged offences, Heard was a no-show at Monday's mention.

Instead lawyer Paula Morreau spoke on behalf of her client, arguing her presence wasn't required for the "simple matter".

Magistrate Kerry Magee, who initially expressed concern about Heard's non-appearance, was eventually convinced the actress didn't need to appear and adjourned the matter until November 2.

Ms Morreau, who was acting on the advice of Sydney law firm Ashurst, said the two-month adjournment would be used to make representations to the crown.