Opinion ID: 2075042
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Welter received a fair trial.

Text: The final issue involves whether the trial court erred in receiving evidence which Welter claims should have been excluded. Specifically, Welter complains about evidence received as to a verbal herd quarantine and argues that there was no evidence of any defect in the animals. At a Motion in Limine, Welter attempted to prevent the introduction of evidence of the verbal quarantine which was imposed upon Opp by the veterinarian. This motion was premised upon the basis that the notice received by Welter made no mention of the verbal quarantine and that all quarantines must be in writing. Welter states the interjection of such matters was highly prejudicial. We disagree, finding no error with the trial court's ruling. A trial court's evidentiary rulings are presumptively correct. In reviewing the trial court's ruling, we must determine if the trial court abused its discretion. Shamburger v. Behrens, 380 N.W.2d 659 (S.D.1986). Welter provides no authority for the proposition that Opp must give written notice of verbal quarantine. SDCL 40-5-8 and SDCL 40-5-10 provide that written notice must be given to the owner or keeper of livestock when a quarantine is in effect. Therefore, Opp is entitled to the written quarantine notice, not Welter. Opp must only give notice of the breach of warranty in a sufficient and timely manner. Further, Welter asserts that since all quarantines must be in writing, the trial court should have excluded evidence of the verbal quarantine. Although written notice of quarantine is mandated by statute, in this case we hold that written notice as to some of the livestock is written notice as to all the livestock. We must keep in mind the underlying evil which these notice statutes seek to control, the spread of disease in livestock. Brucellosis is a highly communicable disease. It was probable that all Opp's livestock were asymptomatic or inapparent carriers of brucellosis. The verbal quarantine of the remaining livestock is justified in a case such as the present one. Therefore, there was no abuse of discretion. Even if the trial court did err, it was not of such magnitude that it affected Welter's right to a fair trial. We deem that it was insignificant at best. It is clear that Welter was not deprived of his right to a fair trial by the trial court's denial of his Motion in Limine. Welter also argues that there was no evidence of any defect in the animals. All the arguments and contentions relating to the defects in the animals were presented to the jury. They determined that many of the animals were unable to pass the South Dakota Livestock Sanitary Board testing procedures, creating a lost opportunity to sell the cattle and in turn, an increase in Opp's expenditures. Reviewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, Farmers State Bank, supra, we affirm the trial court on this issue. Affirmed.