Luce v. Hoisington

The opinion of the court was delivered by Veazey, J.

The action is trespass for taking an ox. It appears that the defendant, as constable, first attached the ox on one writ, and took it into his possession, and while so having the possession, made a second attachment of the same ox on another writ against the same party, the plaintiff in this suit, and that he continued to hold possession for several weeks and until judgments were obtained in both suits and executions issued thereon and were paid, when the ox was returned. The defendant pleaded the general issue with notice justifying the taking as an officer on the first writ, but not on the second writ, and now claims that he is entitled to defend as to the second attachment under this plea and notice.

The County Court held against this claim, and submitted to the jury only the question of damages from the time of the second attachment.

The substantial question is, whether trespass can be maintained for what was done by the defendant under the second attachment. We think it cannot. In order to maintain this action, the plaintiff at the time of the injury must have had either the actual possession, or a property in the ox, either general or special, with the right to the immediate possession. 1 Chit. Pl. 166-7; Hurd v. Fleming, 34 Vt. 169 ; Cox v. Hall, 18 Vt. 191 ; Van Brunt v. Schenck, 11 Johns. 377 ; Putnam v. Wiley, 8 Johns. 432 . At the time of the second attachment the possession of the ox and the right of possession was in the defendant by virtue of the first attachment, which it is conceded in this hearing was legal; and the ox was not kept longer than the right existed under the first attachment. If the first attachment had been illegal a different question would have been presented. 1 Ch. 170.

If the defence was a justification it would require a special plea or notice, but the defence as to the second attachment is a denial of an invasion of any such right as the plaintiff must show in *431 order to maintain trespass, a denial of any forcible taking ; which is a defence appropriate under the general issue and the notice of justification of the taking under the first writ. By the defendant putting an additional attachment upon the ox under the second writ, and he having delivered the ox to the plaintiff as soon as he was entitled to it under the attachment on the first writ, the plaintiff’s right of possession was not interfered with, because he had none while the second attachment was on. This action lies only for injury to the possession, and cannot be' sustained where the plaintiff’s interest is in reversion and not in possession. 1 Chitty, 167 ; 4 Term R. 489 ; 7 Ib. 9. We think this case is distinguishable from those where there was an unlawful exercise of authority over goods although without force, as by attachment without removal of the property. In those cases the possession or right of possession was in the owner, or person standing in his right.

Under the defendant’s objection and exception the court admitted evidence that the plaintiff owned and cultivated a small quantity of' land, and that he was damaged in respect thereto by not having this ox to work. The exceptions do not show for what purpose this evidence was admitted or what use was made of it. Under the declaration it furnished no ground of recovery, and if admitted and used for this purpose it was error. This is sufficient to say on this point, as the case must be reversed on the other ground. No claim is now made on the exception to the charge.

Judgment reversed and cause remanded.