Opinion ID: 1613718
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Waiver of Breach.

Text: Miller next argues Ducheneaux waived or excused Miller's failure to provide a clean bill of health for the cattle. Miller argues Ducheneaux voluntarily entered into the second agreement [a]rmed with the knowledge that the cattle could not come into South Dakota, that they had been under quarantine, that the heifer calves had to be spayed before they could be brought into South Dakota and that the herd looked horrible[.] What Miller neglects to point out is that, during the entire episode, Ducheneaux and Miller met several times and Miller continuously assured Ducheneaux the problem would be resolved, and Ducheneaux would be able to import the cattle to South Dakota. Waiver is defined in Hammerquist v. Warburton, 458 N.W.2d 773 (S.D. 1990) as follows: The doctrine of waiver is applicable where one in possession of any right, whether conferred by law or by contract, and with a full knowledge of the material facts, does or forebears the doing of something inconsistent with the exercise of the right. To support the defense of waiver, there must be a showing of a clear, unequivocal and decisive act or acts showing an intention to relinquish the existing right. Id. at 778; Subsurfco v. B-Y Water Dist., 337 N.W.2d 448, 456 (S.D.1983) (citing Babcock v. McKee, 70 S.D. 442, 18 N.W.2d 750 (1945)). [8] Looking at the evidence in a light most favorable to the decision, as we must, it appears Ducheneaux relied on Miller's assurances the herd's health problems and lack of a clean bill of health would be remedied by Miller. Evidence in the record indicates the parties tried to work out the problem by contacting veterinarians in an effort to get health documents for the herd. There is no showing Ducheneaux intended to relinquish his right to a clean bill of health for the herd. Therefore, Ducheneaux's act of entering into an extension agreement did not constitute a waiver of Miller's breach of the agreement to provide a clean bill of health. We conclude the trial court was not clearly erroneous in its finding Miller breached his obligation to provide a clean bill of health.