KATC reported that police have arrested a man they believe is responsible for killing cattle in Port Barre.  Jameson Lagrange, 20, was arrested by the Louisiana Livestock Brand Commission on four counts of aggravated cruelty to animals.

According to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry and the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, a rancher recently made a complaint in reference to dead cattle on the pasture near the levee in Port Barre.

Inspectors say the cattle appear to have been run over by a truck. Witnesses say they heard what sounded like trucks mud riding in the area around midnight on Mar. 3.

LDAF Commissioner Mike Strain said in a statement, “Whoever is responsible entered onto private property that is clearly marked as private on the gate. There are also signs posted that state cattle are present on property.”

This is not the first time something like this has happened in Louisiana.  In Moses v. Butts, the plaintiff brought an action to recover damages for value of a cow that was injured when the defendant deliberately and intentionally ran his truck over the cow.  Louisiana Civil Code article 2316 states that a person who causes damage to another, either by his act, his negligence, his imprudence, or his want of skill is obliged to repair it.  The court held that the defendant was liable for the damage he caused by running over the cow.  The plaintiff was able to recover the value of his cow after he had to put it down due to the injuries.

It is well settled in Louisiana that damages should be awarded for illegal trespass on one’s property, even when committed in good faith and though proof of the amount of the damages actually sustained by the proprietor be uncertain.

If you or someone you know has had property damaged due to the fault of another, call us today.  Rather it is damage to animals or property, we handle a wide range of cases where we seek to have the tortfeasor held liable for the damage he causes.

 

Sources:

La. C.C. art. 2316

Moses v. Butts, 70 So. 2d 203 (La. App. 1st Cir. 1954).

Layne Louisiana Co. v. Superior Oil Company, 209 La. 1014, 26 So. 2d 20 (La. 1946).