The Soissons public prosecutor's office has announced the referral of Christophe Ellul to the criminal court for involuntary manslaughter following the tragic death of his partner, Elisa Pilarski, due to dog bites in Aisne. The incident occurred in November 2019, when the 29-year-old, who was pregnant, was found dead in a forest after suffering severe injuries from the dog Curtis, owned by Ellul. An autopsy revealed that her death was caused by a hemorrhage resulting from multiple bites.
The investigation has ruled out the involvement of hunting dogs in the attack, confirming that only Curtis was responsible for the fatal injuries. The prosecution emphasized that Ellul had left his partner in the care of a 'dangerous dog' while she was pregnant, which placed her in a position of serious risk. This has been a significant factor in the decision to charge him with involuntary manslaughter, citing 'clumsiness, imprudence, inattention, negligence, or breach of an obligation of prudence or safety' as contributing factors to her death.
Ellul, who has maintained his dog's innocence, faces a potential sentence of 10 years in prison along with a fine of 150,000 euros. The trial date is yet to be announced, as the case continues to draw public attention and concern regarding the responsibilities of dog ownership, particularly with breeds considered dangerous.
