Facts
A horse strayed from a field onto the highway, and a cyclist collided with it.
Issue
Does an owner owe a duty to keep animals off the highway?
Held
No liability.
Principle
At common law there was no duty to fence land to keep ordinary domestic animals off the highway.
Why it matters
An old rule, later changed by statute in England. Check the position in Sierra Leone.
Cited in these chapters
Cite this page
Searle v Wallbank [1947] AC 341 (Lanbuk) <https://www.lanbuk.com/llb/torts/cases/searle-v-wallbank> accessed 31 October 2026
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This summary is a Lanbuk study aid based on the generally known facts and reports of the case. It is not legal advice.