Walling v. McMillan Sheep Co.

234 P. 152 | Idaho | 1925

This is an action for damages for trespass of sheep. The complaint contains three causes of action, the first cause being for the violation of C. S., secs. 1908 and 1909, the second cause of action for trespassing on lands owned by respondent and the destruction of a ditch thereon, and the third cause of action for trespass by the sheep belonging to appellant on a road which had been constructed by respondent as a means of ingress to and egress from his premises. A trial was had before the court sitting with a jury, and a verdict returned for respondent, on the first cause of action for $300, on the second cause of action for $500, and on the third cause of action for $100, upon which verdict judgment was thereafter entered. The defendant moved for a new trial, and from an order overruling such motion this appeal was prosecuted.

Appellant makes five assignments of error, as follows:

1. Error in overruling motion for new trial.

2. Excessive damages appearing to have been given under the influence of passion and prejudice.

3. Insufficiency of the evidence to justify the verdict.

4. Errors of law appearing at the trial; and

5. The verdict is contrary to law.

Assignments of error 2 and 3 may be considered together.

It is well settled that if there is conflict in the evidence and there is evidence in the record which, if uncontradicted, would support the judgment, this court must affirm it. (Singh v. McKee, 38 Idaho 656, 225 P. 400; Fritcher v. Kelley,34 Idaho 471, 201 P. 1037.) An examination of the record discloses that such is the case here as to the judgment entered on the verdict rendered on causes of action Nos. 2 and 3, and that such verdict rendered on causes of action Nos. 2 and 3 is supported as to the amounts by the evidence; but such is not the case as to the verdict rendered on the first cause of action.

The most favorable view that can be taken of the evidence introduced to support the first cause of action shows that respondent was the owner of thirty head of livestock, consisting of horses and cattle, and that the pasturage was worth $2 per head for the remainder of the season, totaling $60. It is therefore apparent that the verdict as to this cause of action was unsupported as to the amount by the evidence, and that the jury in rendering the verdict was not controlled by the testimony given and the legitimate inferences to be drawn therefrom.

By the provisions of C. S., sec. 1909, the owner of sheep violating the provisions of C. S., sec. 1908, is liable to the party injured for all damages sustained. No special damages were plead, hence no recovery can be had for such. (Kirk v.Madareita, 32 Idaho 403, 184 P. 225.) The correct rule as to the measure of damages in the instant case is ably stated by Justice Morgan, in Chandler v. Little, 30 Idaho 119,163 P. 299.

The record has been examined as to the other assignments of error relied upon and we do not find them to be well taken.

That part of the judgment entered on the verdict rendered in the first cause of action must be corrected, either by consent of respondent or a new trial must be granted. The amount of the verdict should be reduced to $60. An order may be entered setting aside the judgment entered on the verdict in the first cause of action and granting a new trial, unless respondent shall, within ten days after notice of the remittitur herein, file with the clerk of the lower court a waiver of any amount in excess of $60. And it is further ordered that the judgment be affirmed as to the second and third causes of action.

William A. Lee, C.J., Win. E. Lee, Budge and Givens, JJ., concur.