Decker v. McSorley

116 Wis. 643 | Wis. | 1903

Oassoday, C. J.

Most of the questions going to the merits-of the controversy were determined on the former appeal. 111 Wis. 91, 86 N. W. 554. The ordinance is given in the-op inion in that case, and declares that “no horse . . shall be permitted to run at large in the city at any time, nor be herded or pastured in or upon any street of said city, nor be permitted to graze or feed in any of said streets, except,”' etc., and that any person “who shall permit the same” to so run at large shall be punished as therein prescribed. It was there, among other things, held that evidence that the horse-“had frequently been at large in the streets was admissible as tending to show that it was at large with the knowledge and assent or permission of the defendant.” In speaking of that question, it was said in the opinion of the court by Mr. Justice Winslow :

“It was competent, and in fact necessary, therefore, for the-plaintiff to show in some way that the horse was at large with the knowledge and assent or permission of the owner. It was-a case where the knowledge or intent of the defendant was in question, or, perhaps, more accurately, where it was necessary to show that the act in question was not accidental; and in such cases the rule is quite well settled that similar acts, though collateral in their nature, may be shown as tending to throw light on the knowledge or intent of the party.” Id.

The learned trial judge manifestly attempted to follow the former opinion in this case; but it is claimed that in charging the jury upon the first question submitted he authorized them to find that the horse was at the time running at large contrary to the ordinance, even if he was so running at large without the knowledge, assent, or permission of the defendant. The portions of the charge to which exceptions were taken are as follows:

“The mere accidental escape of the defendant’s horse without her knowledge, or its escape without her fault or negligence, would not be a violation of the ordinance. ... If the defendant’s horse was reasonably secured in her barn, or in any other inclosure, and the defendant was in the exercise of ordinary care and diligence in confining such horse, or in attempting so to do, the horse would not be running at large, if by some accident, or for any other cause, for which the defendant was not at fault or negligent, he got out of the barn or other inclosure, and went upon the streets of said city; at least not until the defendant had reasonable time to have discovered that such horse had gotten away, and had also had a reasonable time in which to secure or retake him into her possession and keeping. . . . When an animal has escaped from its owner’s premises, where it has been confined, where ordinary care or protection has been taken to secure it and keep it confined, and there is no fault or negligence on the part of the owner, and the owner, upon discovery of the escape of such animal, makes reasonable effort to secure and recover such animal, such animal is not running at large within the meaning of this ordinance.”

The particular clauses of such portions of the charge to which objections are made are these: “Or its escape without her fault or negligence,” “in the exercise of ordinary care and diligence in confining such, horse,” “for which the defendant was not at fault or negligent,” “or at least some fault or negligence on the part of the owner.” Of course, negligence may be so reckless or gross as to be equivalent to wilful misconduct. Bolin v. C., St. P., M. & O. R. Co. 108 Wis. 333, 84 N. W. 446. But negligence, as generally understood, is the mere absence of ordinary care. No degree of mere carelessness or inadvertence constitutes gross negligence or wilful misconduct. Watermolen v. Fox River E. R. & P. Co. 110 Wis. 153, 85 N. W. 663; McClellan v. Chippewa Valley E. R. Co. 110 Wis. 326, 85 N. W. 1018. In Montgomery v. Breed, 34 Wis. 649, 652, the court had under consideration a statute which imposed penalties upon the owner of certain animals “who shall permit or for any reason suffer the same to run at large.” In the opinion of the court it is said:

“The words used imply a choice or design on the part of the owner to allow the animal to go at large, when he might restrain and keep it in his own premises, or within a proper inclosure.” Id.

As indicated, on the former appeal in this case it was said to be a “case where the knowledge or intent of the defendant was in question,” and that it was necessary for the plaintiff to show “that the horse was at large with the knowledge and assent or permission of the owner.” The defendant cannot properly be held liable under the ordinance for mere negligence. There may be adjudications under similar ordinances or statutes of other states holding a broader liability, but we are satisfied with the correctness of the decisions of this court above cited.

2. Counsel for the defendant contends that the damages are excessive. Of course, under the statute, the jury can only properly “give such damages ... as they shall deem fair and just in reference to the pecuniary injury resulting from such death to the relatives of the deceased, specified” in the statute. See. 4256, Stats. 1898. Numerous cases have been before tbis court under tbat statute, and tbe rule as to tbe measure of damages in sncb cases bas been clearly defined, and there is no occasion for reiteration here. Thompson v. Johnston Co. 86 Wis. 576, 57 N. W. 298; Thoresen v. La Crosse City R. Co. 94 Wis. 129, 133, 68 N. W. 548; Luessen v. Oshkosh E. L. & P. Co. 109 Wis. 94, 85 N. W. 124. As there must be a new trial, and as tbe evidence may be different, we refrain from further observations upon tbe question.

By the Court. — -The judgment of tbe circuit court is reversed, and tbe cause is remanded for a new trial.