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1 Greene 377

Harding v. Fahey

Supreme Court of Iowa

Decided May 15, 1848

Supreme Court of Iowa · decided 1848-05-15

Error, to Lee District Court. cited 2 Leigh’s Nisi Prius, 1,404; 2 Cowen and Hill’s Notes, 67, 396; Dunlap v. Patterson, 5'Cow. 243 ; Clarke v. Dutcher, 9 Coat. 674. 1. The defendant was liable for shooting mare, even if such shooting was accidental. 1 Campbell’s Nisi Prius, 497; 14 John. 432; 7 Blackf. 342; 11 Mass. 137; 2 Campbell’s N. P. 464; 3 East. 393; 10 Bing. 112.

Decided 1848-05-15

¶1Opinion by

Hastings, C. J.

¶2In an action of trespass the court was requested to instruct the jury, that the plaintiff is not entitled to recover, unless it has been proved to their satisfaction that the defendant did kill the plaintiff’s mare unlawfully,” which the court refused to do, but charged the jury, that if the defendant killed the mare accidentally, he was liable, and that his liability did not depend upon the intention with which the act was done.

¶3Taking the instruction refused in connection with the instruction given, the jury were advised by the court, that the defendant would be liable in trespass for any injury to the person or property of the plaintiff, committed through an unforeseen, unavoidable accident, exhibiting no want of care and caution. It cannot be imagined that for all injuries that may occur in the lawful exercise of a man’s rights, he should be responsible in trespass.

¶4The court below, we think, erred in not qualifying the instruction given, and in refusing to give substantially the instruction asked.

¶5Judgment reversed.

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