Fisch v. Nice

ALLEN, P. J.

Appeal from a judgment of the superior court of Imperial county. An action was originally commenced by one Wiest, as plaintiff, against Fisch and others in a justice’s court of Imperial county. The complaint averred as a first cause of action that plaintiff was the owner of and in possession of certain described inclosed land, upon which was situate personal property belonging to him; that defendants, the owners of certain livestock, willfully allowed such stock to break and enter upon such premises and destroy the personal property of plaintiff to his damage. In a second and third cause of action it was alleged that the livestock belonging to defendants was by them willfully allowed to break into the inelosure of plaintiff and destroy growing crops therein. The demand for damages for all of the alleged causes of' action was within $300. Service of process was had upon defendants, they appeared to the action, and thereafter applied to the superior court for a writ of prohibition requiring the justices to desist from further proceedings. An alternative writ was issued, but upon the final hearing the same was dissolved and judgment ordered for the

[62]

respondents. Prom this judgment petitioners for the writ appeal.

Appellants’ contention is that it affirmatively appears from the complaint filed that the possession of real estate was involved, hence the justice was without jurisdiction, and this is asserted upon the authority of

Boyd

v.

Southern California Ry. Co.,

126 Cal. 574, [58 Pac. 1046], It may he conceded that if it affirmatively appears from a complaint that title or possession to real estate is involved, the justice is without jurisdiction to hear and determine the action. It is appellants’ contention that plaintiff’s sole remedy is based upon the act of March 23, 1907 (Stats. 1907, p. 999).- This act makes it unlawful for any person owning or having possession of any^ animal to suffer or permit such animal to break into or enter upon any land owned by or in the possession of another

person;

and by section 2 it is provided that the owner of or person who is in the lawful possession of land trespassed upon in violation of this act is entitled to recover, by action in a court of competent jurisdiction, from the owner of or person in possession of, or person chargeable with the care of, the trespassing animal. It is insisted, therefore, that because the statute restricts the right of maintaining the action to one in lawful possession, it follows that section 838, Code of Civil Procedure, applies, which is that the parties to an action before a justice cannot give evidence upon any question which involves the possession of real property.