Opinion
No. 26,864.
October 5, 1928.
Verdict for value of plaintiff's horse sustained.
The evidence presenting only a fact issue, the verdict will not be disturbed.
Action in the district court for Blue Earth county to recover damages for the death of a horse. There was a verdict of $175 for plaintiff, and defendant appealed from an order, Harry A. Johnson, J. denying its alternative motion for judgment or a new trial. Affirmed.
Thomas Hughes and E. Raymond Hughes, for appellant.
C. J. Laurisch, W. E. Hottinger and Elmer J. Buckman, for respondent.
After verdict for plaintiff, defendant appeals from the order denying its motion for judgment notwithstanding or a new trial. The action is to recover damages for the death of a horse owned by plaintiff and rented to defendant. Its death while in the possession of the latter is attributed by plaintiff to the negligent feeding of mouldy corn. The evidence for defendant is that the utmost care was taken to prevent any such thing. For the plaintiff however there is evidence that the acute indigestion or colic which caused the death of the animal is frequently caused by eating mouldy corn; that one of defendant's own horses died of colic in the stable in question shortly before the death of plaintiff's horse; that mouldy corn was on hand in the feed bin; and that some of it was actually found in the feed box of plaintiff's horse. The issue was one of fact and so for the jury.
Order affirmed.