Prosecutors Seek Suspended Four-Year Term for Ellul and Euthanasia of Curtis in Pilarski Case

Overview

• The prosecution requested a four-year suspended prison sentence for Christophe Ellul and asked the court to order the euthanasia of his pit bull, Curtis.
• Ellul is on trial for aggravated involuntary manslaughter tied to the dog’s illegal importation, alleged banned mordant-style training, and a lack of precautions.
• Ellul told the court he accepts that Curtis is guilty, then later insisted he had not made formal admissions about the dog’s role.
• Veterinary and medico-legal reports presented at trial matched the bite spacing on Pilarski’s body to Curtis and excluded nearby chasse à courre dogs, with DNA analyses cited despite noted collection limits.
• Curtis was reported to have bitten Ellul two days after the death and later severely injured a shelter volunteer, and the court’s judgment will follow deliberations while the dog remains in a kennel.