Court Opinion

ID: 5169889
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-02 04:53:08.974401+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:26:02.219531
License: Public Domain

SULLIVAN, C. J.
— This action was brought under the provisions of sec. 2815, Rev. Codes, to recover for the killing of a horse by the appellant railway because of the failure of appellant to fence its right of way where the accident occurred. All of the material allegations of the complaint were put in issue by the answer. The case was tried first in a justice’s court and judgment there rendered against the defendant, and was then appealed to the district court and judgment there rendered in favor of the plaintiff:, who is respondent here. This appeal is from the judgment and order denying á new trial.
The question of negligence in the operation of appellant’s train of ears by which the animal was killed is not raised. *152The only question presented on this appeal is whether under the evidence the railroad company was required by the provisions of sec. 2815, Rev. Codes, to fence its track at the point where the animal was killed. Said section is in part as follows:
“Every railroad company operating any steam or electric railroad in this state, shall erect and maintain lawful fences not less than four feet high on each side of its road, where the same passes through, along or -adjoining inclosed or cultivated fields or inclosed lands, with proper and necessary openings and gates therein, and farm crossings; and also construct and maintain cattle-guards at all highway crossings where fences are required as aforesaid, suitable and sufficient to prevent horses, cattle, mules or other animals from getting on the railroad.....If any corporation- -aforesaid fail, neglect or refuse for and during the period of three months after the completion of its road through or along the fields or inclosures hereinbefore named, to erect and maintain any fence, opening gates, farm crossings or cattle-guards as herein required, and after having received not less than thirty days ’ notice requiring them so to do, then the owner of such fields or inclosures may erect and maintain such fences, opening gates, farm crossings and cattle-guards, and shall therehpon have a right to sue and recover from such corporation in any court of competent jurisdiction, the full value of the same.”
The question whether under the provisions of said section and the evidence in the case the railroad company was required to fence its railroad right of way at the place where the said horse was killed, was submitted to the jury by the court under proper instructions, and we think from all of the evidence contained in the record that the jury was justified in finding for the plaintiff. The evidence shows that at the place where the horse was killed the plaintiff had an inclosure containing two or three acres of ground and that there were other small inclosures along said tract. The judgment must therefore be affirmed, and it is so ordered, with costs in favor of the respondent.
Ailshie, J., concurs.