Johnny Depp's rescue dog Bourbon mauled two sheep to death after breaking free during a countryside walk near the Hollywood star's rental mansion in East Sussex, according to multiple outlets. The incident occurred on farmland near Depp's sprawling country home, which sources say he has recently rented for about £12,000 per month. The bullmastiff reportedly escaped from a handler before attacking grazing livestock.
Depp, 62, was not at the house at the time, the sources said, but has since taken action by hiring a professional dog trainer and implementing additional precautions to prevent any recurrence.
The owner of the sheep, Joe Ginger, confirmed the attack to The Sun, saying he takes his work and his sheep very seriously. A local smallholder estimated the animals involved would have been worth around £180 each, and noted that such attacks, while tragic, are not unusual in the area when dogs are not properly controlled. The incident appears to have occurred on farmland near Depp's countryside retreat, a historic property dating back to the mid-1800s, with landscaped grounds and a sunken walled garden. The surrounding land is believed to be owned by the same landlord who rents the mansion.
The incident adds to a string of dog-related headlines for the actor. In 2015, his Yorkshire Terriers Boo and Pistol were at the center of an international incident after reportedly being brought into Australia without the required documentation, aboard a private jet with then-wife Amber Heard. The dogs faced potential euthanasia unless removed from the country within 72 hours, a matter that was later resolved.
Daily Mail reporters and editors noted the evolving story as Depp's camp declined to comment, while noting ongoing safety considerations for the property and its perimeter.