Court Opinion

ID: 9793400
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 02:47:00.288906+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:04:47.279354
License: Public Domain

Justice J. MERCER JOHNSON
and I concur in the supplemental opinion on rehearing. We are also convinced that the scope of the original direction for an injunction by this court was too broad in another respect. The burden to establish the necessity for enforcing the restrictive covenant is of course on the plaintiff. An examination of the evidence with this in mind discloses that defendant worked for plaintiff only in his small animal hospital and not in the general practice of veterinary medicine. The plaintiff testified:
“Q. You have testified this was a small animal hospital and that Dr. Benton’s work was limited to small animal practices, is that right? A. That’s right.
*74“Q. Actually, the practice of veterinary medicine is much broader than small animals; for example, you were doing large animal practice? A. That is true.
“Q. In addition, are there other branches of veterinary medicine? A. "Y 6S ^ ^ **
The restrictive covenant provided:
“ * * * the Second Party hereby agrees that he will not practice Veterinary Medicine or establish, or work in any small animal hospital within twelve (12) miles of the City Limits of the City of Mesa, Arizona for a period of five (5) years from the date of termination.”
That portion of the covenant by which defendant agreed not to practice general veterinary medicine is clearly divisible from that portion by which he agreed that he would not establish or work in any small animal hospital. Since defendant could not gain any advantage in other branches of veterinary medicine by working only in plaintiff’s small animal hospital, the covenant restraining defendant from practicing general veterinary medicine is unreasonable and constitutes a restraint on trade. Where an agreement is divisible, only the portion necessary to protect an employer’s rights will be enforced. Fullerton Lumber Co. v. Torborg, 270 Wis. 133, 70 N.W.2d 585.