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Death of Elisa Pilarski

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Death of Elisa Pilarski
High profile fatal dog attack
The incident took place in the Forest of Retz
LocationVillers-Cotterêts, Aisne, France
DateNovember 16, 2019
1:30 p.m.
Attack type
Dog attack
VictimsElisa Pilarski (29) and her unborn son Enzo
AccusedChristophe E. (dog owner)
VerdictSuspect awaiting trial
ChargesInvoluntary manslaughter

On November 16, 2019, Elisa Pilarski (* September 7, 1990), who was six months pregnant with her son Enzo, was killed in a dog attack in the Forest of Retz in Aisne, France.

At the time of the incident, Pilarski was walking her partner's dog, Curtis. At the same time, a hunting event with hunting dogs was taking place a few hundred meters away. It took months to determine which dog or dogs were ultimately responsible for the woman's death,[1] and the entire investigation was completed years after her death.[2][3]

Circumstances

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Elisa Pilarski was found lifeless in the Forest of Retz by her partner whom she called 45 minutes earlier during the attack. She had been out walking her partner's dog that day. Her partner stated that she was attacked and killed by hunting dogs. The hunters consistently held that their hunting dog were controlled and had never attacked a person.[4][5][6]

Investigation

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DNA tests had to be done on 67 dogs, Pilarski and her partner had 5 dogs and the hunting club had 62 in use during the hunt.[1] The estimated cost for the DNA tests reached from € 100,000 to € 200,000.[7]

On October 31, 2020, the expert opinion of two veterinarians commissioned by the prosecution was published.[8] After examining the jaws of the couple's five dogs and 62 hunting dogs from the hunting club, the two veterinarians found Curtis responsible for the death of Elisa Pilarski:

« le chien Curtis est l'unique auteur des morsures ayant causé le décès […]. Les morsures individualisables sont compatibles avec la mâchoire du seul Curtis, et non des chiens de chasse. »[9][10]

Translation: “The dog Curtis is the sole causer of the bites that led to her death [...]. The individualizable bites are solely consistent with the jaw of Curtis, not those of the hunting dogs.”

The experts also examined Curtis' behavior, behavior they described as misappropriated and a form of animal cruelty.[11] The expert report also rejected the theory that Curtis had defended Pilarski against the hunting dogs: “There are no marks from the pack's dog paws around the body, no injuries from hunting dogs that would result from a fight, and the minimal injuries to Curtis' head are not the result of dog bites, but were likely caused by him tearing off his muzzle.”[12][13]

The results of the genetic analysis, which were announced on November 3, 2020, confirmed the experts' opinion: On Pilarski's body were only DNA traces of Curtis, not from the hunting dogs.[14][15] On November 4, 2020, Christophe E. was charged by the public prosecutor's office.[16][17] His lawyer requested a counter-expert opinion.[18]

The French authorities opened an investigation against X for “involuntary manslaughter by inattention, recklessness, carelessness, negligence or breach of a duty of care (...) as a result of a dog attack”.[19] Even after the revelations about the analysis of the dog bites Christophe E. continued to claim at a press conference with his lawyer Alexandre Novion in early November 2020 that it was impossible that his dog was responsible for her death.[20]

Charges

[edit]

On March 4, 2021, Christophe E. was charged with involuntary manslaughter and placed under judicial supervision. He was banned from contacting the victim's family.[21] On March 29, 2021, he was summoned to Soissons again, this time for a confrontation with the family of Elisa Pilarski. The woman's cell phone was analyzed and contained photos of the dog taken during the walk shortly before her death, as well as a text message from her partner: “Je le fais le piquer” (I'll put him down), suggesting that he was aware of his dog's role in the incident. Christophe E.'s theory that the dog was muzzled and could not have bitten his partner is pushed even further into the background by the fact that the dog was not muzzled in the photos. The fact that a muzzle that did not belong to the dog was found in the woods at the scene of the incident opened the door to the hypothesis that it could have been placed by the dog owner himself, which would mean that he had deliberately altered the scene of the crime.[22][23]

The investigation was completed in 2023 and the criminal trial for involuntary manslaughter is expected to take place in mid-2024 at the earliest.[24]

Legal significance of the dog breed

Curtis (* 2017) was described by his owner at the beginning of the investigation as a cross between a Patterdale terrier and a whippet.[25][26] After an investigation by the police, it turned out that the dog was a purebred American Pit Bull Terrier, a dog banned in France that had been illegally imported from a breeder from the Netherlands and was not registered properly. Three months before the attack, the dog had won a “sporting bite competition” in Belgium, which was only open to dogs of this breed registered in stud books. The likelihood that Curtis, who had been trained to bite in competitions banned in France, had turned on his owner's partner was considered to be a possibility from the outset of the investigation.[27][28] The American Pit Bull Terrier is not recognized as a dog breed under French law, but is considered a type of dog classified as a category 1 dangerous dog.[29] The acquisition, any transfer (for money or free of charge) and importation into France are prohibited and are punishable by 6 months' imprisonment and a fine of €15,000.[30][31]

Following the incident, Curtis was taken to a kennel in Haute-Garonne, where he will be euthanized once his role in the pregnant woman's death has been legally established.[32]

Impact

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Media response

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The death of Elisa Pilarski caused a great stir in France and led to intense discussions on the question of identifying the dogs and dog owners responsible, as well as on topics such as the need to reform existing laws on dog ownership and the lack of control of existing laws to protect against dogs classified as dangerous.[33][34] National and international reports[35][36][37] on the incident and the subsequent investigations continued for several years.[38]

In 2022, a book was published which, among other things, deals with the investigations to date and the media response to the case.[39]

The actress and animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot wrote an open letter to the French Minister of Justice Éric Dupond-Moretti on November 16, 2020. She criticized the course of the investigation to date and pledged her support to Christophe E. and Curtis the dog.[40]

Fundraising

[edit]

In December 2019, an online fundraiser was set up to raise money for the defense of Curtis. Almost €7,000 were raised.[41] The woman who set up the fundraiser later felt misled by the information provided by the dog's owner and called on donors to file a complaint with the provider Leetchi.[42]

Regulation of dogs

[edit]

In 2020, the veterinarian and politician Loïc Dombreval called for a reform of the laws on dangerous dogs in place since 1999 on the occasion of Pilarski's death. In particular, the lack of control of dogs that had already become conspicuous or were classified as dangerous was criticized.[43][44][45] In April 2022, a motion for a resolution was introduced to tighten the regulations for the acquisition and training of fighting dog breeds and defense dogs.[46]

Suspicions against the hunting society

[edit]

Public opinion was characterized by rejection and speculation towards the hunting community, especially after the first media reports about the death.[47][48][49] The hunters consistently held that their hunting dog were controlled and had never attacked a person. "Vénerie" or "chasse à courre" are the french terms for a type of hunt which includes a pack of dogs.[50]

  • Two horse riders and a pack of hunting dogs
    "Vénerie à cheval" is the French name for horseback hunting with dogs
  • Grand Anglo-Français Tricolore, a typical breed used in pack hunts
    Grand Anglo-Français Tricolore, a typical breed used in pack hunts

In media

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Book

  • Olivier Darrioumerle, Matthias Tesson: Un chien, l'affaire Curtis-Pilarski. Le Cherche midi, 2022. 

Documentary

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See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "French police test DNA of dogs belonging to mauling victim, hunting club". France 24. 2019-11-22. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
  2. ^ "Pregnant woman killed by dogs in France during hunt in forest". BBC. 2019-11-20. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
  3. ^ Knight, Justine. "Affaire Pilarski: le parquet demande un procès pour Christophe Ellul, le compagnon de la victime" [Pilarski case: the prosecutor's office asks for a trial for Christophe Ellul, the victim's companion]. BFMTV (in French). Retrieved 2024-12-16.
  4. ^ "Pregnant woman killed by dogs during hunt". Irish Independent. 2019-11-21. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
  5. ^ "DNA Tests Solve Mystery Of Frenchwoman Killed By Dog". Barrons. 2020-11-03. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
  6. ^ Samuel, Henry (2019-11-20). "Calls for hunting ban in France after pregnant woman killed by dogs while on forest stroll". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
  7. ^ "Affaire Pilarski : des analyses ADN «trop coûteuses» pour la justice". Le Figaro (in French). 2020-02-20. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  8. ^ Coupé, Aymeric (2020-11-05). "Affaire Pilarski : le rapport complet de 46 pages qui accuse Curtis" [Pilarski case: the full 46-page report accusing Curtis]. Oise Hebdo (in French). Retrieved 2024-12-16.
  9. ^ "Elisa Pilaski a été tuée par son chien Curtis, selon un rapport d'expertise" [Elisa Pilaski was killed by her dog Curtis, according to an expert report]. Le Monde (in French). 2020-10-31. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
  10. ^ "Mort d'Elisa Pilarski : un seul chien l'a mordue, celui de son compagnon, selon les experts vétérinaires" [Elisa Pilarskis Tod: Only one dog bit her, her partner's dog, according to veterinarian experts]. Le Nouvel Obs (in French). 2020-11-01. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  11. ^ "Elisa Pilaski a été tuée par son chien Curtis, selon un rapport d'expertise", Le Monde.fr, 2020-10-31, retrieved 2024-04-18
  12. ^ Aymeric Coupé (2020-11-06). "Les mensonges d'Ellul qui ont semé le trouble dans l'enquête Pilarski" (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  13. ^ Aymeric Coupé (2020-11-05). "Affaire Pilarski : le rapport complet de 46 pages qui accuse Curtis" (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  14. ^ LIBERATION. "Mort d'Elisa Pilarski : seul l'ADN de son chien a été retrouvé sur son corps" (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  15. ^ "Elisa Pilarski a été tuée par le chien de son compagnon et non par un chien de chasse, annonce le parquet", Le Monde.fr, 2020-11-03, retrieved 2024-04-18
  16. ^ "Mort d'Elisa Pilarski : son compagnon mis en cause par le procureur après l'implication de son chien Curtis" (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  17. ^ "Mort d'Elisa Pilarski : son compagnon mis en cause par le procureur après l'implication de son chien Curtis" (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  18. ^ "Aisne. Élisa Pilarski tuée par le chien Curtis : l'avocat de Christophe Ellul demande de nouvelles expertises" (in French). 4 November 2020. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  19. ^ "Mort d'Elisa Pilarski : son compagnon mis en cause par le procureur après l'implication de son chien Curtis" (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  20. ^ "Mort d'Elisa Pilarski : mon chien "Curtis est innocent, il n'aurait jamais touché Elisa", dit son compagnon" (in French). 2020-11-10. Archived from the original on 2020-11-10. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  21. ^ "Le compagnon d'Elisa Pilarski, tuée par un chien, mis en examen pour homicide involontaire", Le Monde.fr, 2021-03-04, retrieved 2024-04-18
  22. ^ "Mort d'Elisa Pilarski : une confrontation a eu lieu entre Christophe Ellul et la famille de la victime" (in French). 2021-03-29. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  23. ^ "Mort d'Elisa Pilarski : une confrontation a eu lieu entre Christophe Ellul et la famille de la victime" (in French). 2021-03-29. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  24. ^ "Affaire Élisa Pilarski : enfin un procès en 2024 ?" (in French). 2023-11-15. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  25. ^ "Femme tuée par des chiens dans l'Aisne: ce que l'on sait" [Woman killed by dogs in the Aisne: what we know]. lavoixdunord.fr (in French). 2019-11-22. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  26. ^ Margaux d'Adhémar (2020-03-06). "Importation illégale, concours de mordant... Pourquoi le chien Curtis est au cœur de l'enquête Pilarski?" [Illegal import, a biting contest... Why is the dog Curtis at the heart of the Pilarski investigetion?] (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  27. ^ "Article L211-17 - Code rural et de la pêche maritime - Légifrance". Retrieved 2024-04-20.
  28. ^ "La dernière balade en forêt d'Elisa Pilarski et du chien Curtis", Le Monde.fr, 2020-09-29, retrieved 2024-04-18
  29. ^ "Les chiens de catégorie 1 et 2 dits " chiens dangereux "" [Dogs of the category 1 and 2 designated as “dangerous dogs”] (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  30. ^ "Article L215-2 - Code rural et de la pêche maritime - Légifrance". Retrieved 2024-04-20.
  31. ^ "Titre Ier : La garde et la circulation des animaux et des produits animaux (Articles L211-1 à L215-15) - Légifrance". Retrieved 2024-04-20.
  32. ^ "Mort d'Elisa Pilarski : le chien Curtis, seul responsable du décès selon les expertises, recueilli dans un chenil près de Toulouse" [Elisa Pilarski's death: the Curtis dog, the only person responsible for the death according to the expert opinion, placed in a kennel near Toulouse] (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  33. ^ "Après le drame de l'Aisne : faut-il un permis de détention pour tous les chiens ?" (in French). 2019-11-21. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  34. ^ "Affaire Elisa Pilarski : faut-il interdire les chiens dangereux ?". YouTube (in French). 18 November 2020. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  35. ^ "Schwangere Französin nicht von Jagdhunden totgebissen?". B.Z. – Die Stimme Berlins (in German). 2019-11-22. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  36. ^ "Woman who died in French forest 'was killed by partner's dog'", The Guardian, 2020-11-03, ISSN 0261-3077, retrieved 2024-04-18
  37. ^ "Una joven embarazada de seis meses muere atacada por perros en un bosque de Francia" (in Spanish). 2019-11-20. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  38. ^ "Affaire pilarski". France 3 Régions (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  39. ^ "Affaire Pilarski : où en est l'enquête aujourd'hui ?". RTL.fr (in French). 2022-11-09. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  40. ^ "Affaire Pilarski : Brigitte Bardot plaide en faveur du chien Curtis dans une lettre adressée à Dupond-Moretti". LeFigaro.fr (in French). 2020-11-17. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  41. ^ "Affaire Elisa Pilarski : "Ils se sont servis de moi" regrette la créatrice de la cagnotte pour le chien Curtis" [Elisa Pilarski case: "They used me" regrets by the creator of the fundraiser for the dog Curtis]. ici France Bleu (in French). 2021-04-13. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
  42. ^ "Mort d'Élisa Pilarski : à Pamiers, la créatrice de la cagnotte pour le chien Curtis invite les donateurs à déposer plainte" [Death of Elisa Pilarski: Pamiers, the creator of the dog Curtis' fundraiser invites people who made a donation to file a complaint]. ladepeche.fr (in French). Retrieved 2024-12-16.
  43. ^ "Affaire Elisa Pilarski : un député demande une réforme de la loi sur les chiens dangereux" (in French). 2020-11-14. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  44. ^ Aymeric Coupé (2020-11-15). "Affaire Pilarski : un député LREM veut durcir la loi sur les chiens dangereux" (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  45. ^ https://academie-veterinaire-defrance.org/fileadmin/user_upload/DossiersThematiques/BienEtreAnimal/LettreLDauMinistreInterieurNov2020.pdf (PDF)
  46. ^ M. Stéphane Viry (2022-04-22). "Proposition de résolution n°5218 - visant à renforcer la réglementation sur l'acquisition et l'éducation des chiens d'attaque et des chiens de défense" [Motion for a resolution No. 5218 - on tightening the rules on the acquisition and training of attack and defense dogs] (PDF) (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  47. ^ "Dépôt de plainte de la chasse à courre après un post Facebook rappelant l'affaire Elisa Pilarski" (in French). 2023-03-21. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  48. ^ "Mort d'Elisa Pilarski : les chiens de chasse ont-ils pu attaquer la jeune femme?" [Elisa Pilarski's death: could hunting dogs have attacked her?] (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  49. ^ Olivier Darrioumerle, Matthias Tesson: Un chien, l'affair Curtis-Pilarski.
  50. ^ "28 déc. 2023: Affaire Elisa Pilarski : où en est on ?" [December 28, 2023: Elisa Pilarski case: where are we?]. venerie.org (Société de Vènerie ) (in French). 2023-12-29. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
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