Herrin v. Opatut

281 S.E.2d 575 (1981)

Free access to 20,000 Casebriefs

Holding & Decision

The court's holding and decision will be displayed here.

Nature Of The Case

This section contains the nature of the case and procedural background.

Facts

Opatut (D) purchased a 57-acre tract of 'pasture' land to establish an egg farm. Subsequently, 26 chicken layer houses were built and on March 15, 1979, 40,000 chickens were brought in. Ps, who were residents in the area filed suit against D alleging that they are 'plagued by flies and offensive odors' emanating from the farm. They also alleged that D was draining wastes from their egg farm into Ps' pond, with result that many of the fish are dying. P wanted D declared a nuisance and enjoined from further business activity. D filed a motion to dismiss on the ground that Ps' claim is barred by Code Ann. §§ 72-107 and 72-108. 'It is the declared policy of the State to conserve and protect and encourage the development and improvement of its agricultural land for the production of food and other agricultural products. When nonagricultural land uses extend into agricultural areas, agricultural operations often become the subject of nuisance suits. As a result, agricultural operations are sometimes forced to cease operations. Many others are discouraged from making investments in farm improvements. It is the purpose of this law to reduce the loss to the State of its agricultural resources by limiting the circumstances under which agricultural operations may be deemed to be a nuisance.' Code Ann. § 72-107 (Ga. L. 1980, p. 1253). 'No agricultural or farming operation, place, establishment, or facility, or any of its appurtenances, or the operation thereof, shall be or shall become a nuisance, either public or private, as a result of changed conditions in or around the locality of such agricultural or farming operation, place, establishment, or facility if such agricultural or farming operation, place, establishment, or facility has been in operation for one year or more.' Code Ann. § 72-108 (Ga. L. 1980, pp. 1253, 1254). That motion was granted, and P appealed.

Issues

The legal issues presented in this case will be displayed here.

Legal Analysis

Legal analysis from Dean's Law Dictionary will be displayed here.

© 2007-2025 ABN Study Partner

© 2025 Casebriefsco.com. All Rights Reserved.