West Virginia Code Chapter 38. Liens § 38-11-6. Lien of humane officer

When any humane officer shall provide any neglected or abandoned animal with proper food, shelter and care, he shall have a lien upon such animal for the expense thereof, and such expense shall be charged against the owner of such animal. Until the humane officer shall take possession of the animal or place the animal in the possession of some person other than the owner, to the extent and in the manner provided for in section fourteen of this article, such lien shall not be good against a purchaser of the animal from the owner, for value, and without notice of the facts creating the lien.