On November 16, 2019, Elisa Pilarski (born 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.

[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.

"[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.

[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".

[24] Legal significance of the dog breed Curtis (born 2017) was described by his owner at the beginning of the investigation as a cross between a Patterdale terrier and a whippet.

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.

[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.

[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.

[42] 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.