Pet Scoop: Amber Heard Avoids Dog-Smuggling Conviction, Ducklings Freed From Drain

April 18, 2016: We’ve scoured the Web to find the best and most compelling animal stories, videos and photos. And it’s all right here.

Depp and Heard Appear in Video

Nearly a year after actor Johnny Depp’s wife, Amber Heard, illegally brought their dogs into Australia, they were Down Under again for Heard to face charges. The case made international headlines last year when Australia’s then agricultural minister said the Yorkshire Terriers would need to leave the country or risk being put down. Australia has strict quarantine laws that are intended to keep diseases out, and dogs coming in from the U.S. have to be quarantined for 10 days. Depp, who was filming in Australia at the time, and Heard arrived at the court in Queensland Monday. Heard pleaded guilty to making a false statement on her immigration card about the dogs, Pistol and Boo. Other charges were dropped. She was given a one-month good behavior bond and no conviction was recorded. The authorities released an unusual video that was shown in court of the couple apologizing, expressing remorse and telling travelers to respect Australian law. “I am truly sorry that Pistol and Boo were not declared,” Heard says in the video. — Read it at the U.K.’s BBC News

Cicadas Set to Emerge in Northeast After 17 Years

As soon as the end of this month, some parts of the Northeast may start seeing — and hearing — the emergence of Brood V cicadas, which last hatched in 1999. There are 14 broods that emerge in different regions on 17-year cycles. Brood V resides in Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. They will emerge when the soil in those spots warms to about 64 degrees Fahrenheit. The adults live two to four weeks above ground, where they make a loud humming noise. The females then lay rice-sized eggs in tree branches. Their offspring will eventually make their way underground, where they’ll wait until 2033 to emerge again. — Read it at CNN

Firefighters Save 33 Dogs in Blaze

Broward County, Florida, firefighters were shocked to find 34 dogs choking on thick, black smoke when they arrived on the scene of a house fire late Thursday. It took them more than 90 minutes to find all the victims, and amazingly, 33 of them survived. Eight of the dogs remained in intensive care at the VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital. The dogs were staying in the home of a woman who helps several rescue groups find homes for dogs. Once they’re healthy, the dogs will be up for adoption. — Read it at Today

Ducklings Rescued From Drain

One firefighter in Nampa, Idaho, planted a kiss on a fuzzy little duckling after his colleague pulled the little one from a storm drain where it was stuck with its siblings. The firefighters had arrived on the scene after getting a call from some concerned citizens, and they had to get creative about how to get them out. After tying an upside-down street cone to a pole, they were able to safely scoop the ducklings out and reunite them with their mom, who was waiting nearby. The department said on Facebook that the crew actually assisted in two duckling rescues on the same day on Sunday. — Read it at Idaho’s KTVB

Veteran Reunited With Missing Service Dog

After a sleepless night last week, Marine veteran Chris Galliher was reunited with his service dog, Raider. The dog was staying with Galliher at a Utah hotel while the pair was traveling home to Washington state following the Marine’s retirement ceremony. Raider helps Galliher cope with the anxiety and stress he’s suffered after serving in several tours to Afghanistan. But when Galliher opened the door to the room, Raider ran out. Thankfully, he didn’t go far. Workers at a veterinary center next door to the hotel found him and kept him safe for his owner. When Galliher arrived at the center to get his dog the next day, cameras caught the moment when Raider raced into his arms and smothered him with kisses. — Watch it at Fox News