Jones v. . Sheldon , 1872 N.Y. LEXIS 447 ( 1872 )

The question involved is whether the act amending the act "to prevent animals from running at large in the public highways," passed in 1867, provides a remedy for injuries by cattle, etc., escaping on to a lot through a division fence, and not from the highway.

In this case the cattle so escaped, and the party trespassed upon seized them under that statute, and they were sold. The owner brought an action for their seizure, and the defendant, after a general denial, set up their seizure, etc., under this act, alleging that they escaped on to his premises through a defect in a part of the division fence which this plaintiff was bound to make and maintain.

Upon the trial before Mr. Justice DWIGHT, he held that this remedy did not apply to such a case. This judgment was affirmed, and the defendant appealed.

The provision under which this question arises is as follows: "It shall be lawful for any person to seize, take into his custody, and retain till disposed of as required by law, any animal which may be in any public highway and opposite to land owned or occupied by him, contrary to the provisions of the foregoing section, or of any animal which may be trespassing upon premises owned or occupied by him." (2 Laws of 1867, p. 2036, § 2.)

Although the title constitutes no part of a public act, yet its universal use by the legislature is of some force in showing the purpose of the act.

It is plain that the purpose of this act, as well as of the act amended and again amended in 1869, was to protect the public highways, streets and parks against the running at large of cattle and animals named. It imposes penalties upon owners for suffering it.

To make it more effectual for this purpose, the act of 1869 prohibits the herding or pasturing of cattle, etc., in the highways, and directs their seizure when "so found running at large or being herded or pastured." (1 Laws of 1869, p. 949, § 1.)

There is no provision in either act which seems to contemplate the seizure of animals for escaping through a division fence upon an adjoining owner. Nor is any provision made for trying the question as to the sufficiency of any division fence in the trial provided for in this act. On the contrary, it expressly provides for a trial of the right and grounds of any seizure, only by allowing the defendant or person appearing, "to deny, under oath, any or all the facts alleged in said complaint," and then "an issue shall be deemed joined in said proceeding, and the subsequent proceedings shall be as in civil actions," etc. (§ 3.)

In an action of trespass, quare clausum fregit, a defence that the animals escaped through a portion of the division fence which the plaintiff was bound to maintain, was necessary to be pleaded. This was so at common law, and I think it is so under the Code. (1 Chit. Pl., 534, 622, 636.)

If this act be construed as applying only to seizures of cattle trespassing on premises from the highway, then such a plea seems sufficient. No question as to the sufficiency of a fence can arise then, as no fence against animals so running at large is necessary.

It is difficult to conceive of any defence that would not be admissible under this answer, if the act be confined to escapes from the highway.

There are now full and adequate provisions in the Revised Statutes for trying all questions as to the sufficiency of division fences, and for all litigation growing thereout.

That the legislature should subject trespasses by animals from the highway to the provisions of this act, is in harmony with its purpose as declared by its title, and it does the better protect the highway from the unlawful invasion of animals. Whereas, trespasses through division fences have no connection with the purpose of the act.

In Shepherd v. Hess (12 J.R., 433) a town passed a by-law, that "all hogs shall be kept up." This the court held had only application to a trespass done through an outer fence adjoining a highway or common; not to an inner or partition fence between two neighbors.

In our view, this statute has no application to trespasses through division fences between neighbors, but only to those committed from the road. The former, we think, are without the scope and purpose of the act.

The judgment should be affirmed.

All concur except ALLEN, J., not voting.

Judgment affirmed.