JQuery :: Search Function Runs Multiple Times When Grouped

If this search function is included in an include file with other functions it will run more than once if you click another function first, then come back to it to do another search.

Code:
$(document).ready(function() {
$("a#searchowner").click(function() {
var searchval=$("#p1").val();
alert(searchval); //test alert box
$.post("findowner.php", {p1 : searchval}, function(data){
if (data.length>0){
$("#ownerIDdiv2").html(data);
}});
});
}); //end

For example if I click the next page function, then decide to click for a new search it runs more than once:
Next page function:

Code:
$(document).ready(function() {
$('a#nextpage').click(function() {
var page = $(this).attr('page');
var searchval = $(this).attr('schval');
var maxpage = $(this).attr('maxpage');
$.post("findowner.php", {
p1 : searchval,
page : page
}, function(data){
if (data.length>0){
$("#ownerIDdiv2").html(data);
} });
});
}); //end

However, if I put the first search function in a separate include file all works perfect. Why it runs multiple times if it is grouped among other functions?