Sunday, December 22, 2019

Sunday nibbled sleeve xiii: The stone in our shoe






The plaintiff, giving evidence, said that when he was on the crossing in Chertsey Street, Guildford, he heard a shout. He turned and saw the cow coming pell-mell round a corner. It trampled over him and contin-ued on its way. He did not think it deliberately went for him. 

Mr Patrick O'Connor, for King Bros., submitted that the person in control of a tame animal mansuetae naturaecow was undoubtedly tame - was not liable for damage done by it which was 'foreign to its species'. He would seek to prove the cow attacked the plaintiff; if that were so, there was no liability.

His Lordship - "Is one to abandon every vestige of common sense in approaching this matter?"

Counsel - "Yes, my Lord."

The hearing was adjourned.













The Times [London]
  Law Reports
  date not available

John Julius Norwich
More Christmas Crackers
  1980 - 1989
Viking, 1990©

Jacob Dooley

Beacon Hill








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