Byram v. Main

523 A.2d 1387 (1987)

Facts

D’s pet donkey escaped from an enclosure, wandered onto an interstate highway and was struck by P’s tractor trailer. The court directed a verdict for D and P appealed. The case was reversed and remanded, but P amended his complaint to one of strict liability. The court found D strictly liable and awarded $27,483.52 in damages. D appealed. The sole issue presented by this second appeal is whether the owner of a domestic animal that has escaped and wandered onto a high-speed public highway is strictly liable for harm resulting from a motor vehicle's collision with that animal.