Sullivan v. Goss
Sullivan v. Goss
Concurring Opinion
concurring specially.
Donald Goss as plaintiff, sued Bill Sullivan as defendant, because Sullivan negligently allowed his dog to leave his yard and to go upon Goss’ premises, where he killed thirty valuable game birds known as "Slasher” birds. The jury could not reach a verdict and a mistrial was declared. Defendant made a motion for judgment notwithstanding the mistrial, which motion was overruled, and he appeals to this court.
The majority affirms and places its decision solely on a comparatively new statute (Ga. L. 1969, pp. 831, 832; Code Ann. § 62-2004).
If a dog is wrongfully in the place where he does the mischief, the owner is liable, irrespective of prior knowledge by the owner of the dog’s dangerous proclivities. This was a clear and precise pronouncement of the law of this state, and can not be shunted aside or disregarded as being obiter. See Chandler v. Gately, 119 Ga. App. 513, 519 (3) (167 SE2d 697); Dooly v. Gates, 194 Ga. 787, 793 (22 SE2d 730); Rivers v. Brown, 200 Ga. 49, 52 (36 SE2d 429); Vann v. American Credit Co., 115 Ga. App. 559 (2) (155 SE2d 459).
2. Next, this case, being older than Connell and Carter, supra, must be followed rather than any later case in conflict therewith. This is on the principle of stare decisis. See Frazier v. Southern R. Co., 200 Ga. 590, 596 (37 SE2d 774); Boston Ins. Co. v. Barnes, 120 Ga. App. 585, 590 (171 SE2d 626); Gray v. Gray, 34 Ga. 499, 501; Peppers v. Travelers Ins. Co., 48 Ga. 595 (173 SE 177); McKibben v. State, 88 Ga. App. 466, 474 (77 SE2d 86).
3. As the case resulted in a mistrial, none of the rulings made by the trial judge in the first trial have become the "law of this case” or res judicata. See Colevins v. Nat. Union Fire Ins. Co., 110 Ga. App. 533, 536 (139 SE2d 145).
4. The trial judge correctly overruled defendant’s motion for judgment notwithstanding the mistrial, and I would affirm that judgment.
Opinion of the Court
This case is an action by plaintiff seeking to recover damages against the defendant because the defendant’s dog came upon plaintiff’s property and killed plaintiff’s game chickens, or "Slasher” birds. There were two alleged occasions. The trial judge directed a verdict for the defendant as to the first occasion, but denied such a motion as to the subsequent occasion. The jury being unable to reach a verdict, a mistrial was declared. Defendant appealed from the denial of his motion for judgment notwithstanding the mistrial as to the last occasion. Held:
The rule as to scienter, or knowledge on the part of the owner of a vicious or dangerous propensity of the dog, if one exists (see Connell v. Bland, 122 Ga. App. 507 (177 SE2d 833)), has no application here in view of the provisions of Section 4 of the Act of 1969 (Ga. L. 1969, pp.
The evidence adduced being such as to authorize a finding that the defendant’s dog came upqn the plaintiffs property and killed some of his chickens, the denial of the motion for judgment notwithstanding the mistrial is affirmed.
Judgment affirmed.
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