The person taking up an animal trespassing, after two days may begin his action to recover damages and charges and to enforce his lien, by filing a bill of particulars of his damages, together with a description of the animal on which the lien is claimed, with a justice of the peace, if his claim does not exceed two hundred dollars; and the justice shall issue a summons for the owner or person entitled to the custody, returnable instanter at such place as he shall designate; and if the animal be not in the custody of the plaintiff, the justice may issue a writ commanding the officer to seize the animal. The summons being executed and returned, the justice shall proceed as in other suits. If the justice finds in favor of the plaintiff, he will assess the damages and charges and enter judgment accordingly, and direct the animal to be sold to satisfy the judgment; and if the animal be not in custody of the plaintiff or officer the order for sale may embrace a command to levy upon it.Codes, 1880, § 985; 1892, § 2049; 1906, § 2228; Hemingway's 1917, § 4547; 1930, § 5445; 1942, § 4873.
Mississippi Legal Code