Isaacs v. Powell

McNULTY, Judge.

This is a case of first impression in Florida. The question posed is whether Florida should adopt the general rule that the owner or keeper of a wild animal, in this case a chimpanzee, is liable to one injured by such animal under the strict liability doctrine, i. e., regardless of negligence on his part, or whether his liability should be predicated on his fault or negligence.1

Plaintiff-appellant Scott Isaacs was two years and seven months old at the times material herein. His father had taken him to defendants-appellees’ monkey farm where, upon purchasing an admission ticket,…