47-836. Lien for veterinary services; preference. A veterinarian, a veterinary partnership or a veterinary corporation offering veterinary service to animals in the field or otherwise, who shall, at the request of the owner or lawful possessor of any animal or animals, bestow any professional attention, care, vaccines, antisera, virus, antibiotics, or other medical treatment, food or service upon the same shall have a lien upon such animal or animals for the just and reasonable charges therefor, and may hold and retain possession of such animal until such charges are paid, but such lien shall be valid if the veterinarian recorded a verified notice of the lien upon such animal or animals in the office of the register of deeds in the county in which such veterinary services were rendered prior to the expiration of 60 days after such services were rendered. The possessory lien hereby created shall have preference over any and all other liens or encumbrances upon such animal or animals, regardless of where such veterinary service has been rendered. The nonpossessory lien created under this section shall have preference over any and all other liens or encumbrances upon such animal or animals, except for possessory liens under K.S.A. 58-207 and 58-220, and amendments thereto, and previously perfected security interests, regardless of where such veterinary service has been rendered. A lien under this section may not be enforced against a subsequent purchaser of the animal treated unless the purchaser has received actual prior notice of the existence of such lien.

History: L. 1969, ch. 261, § 23; L. 1988, ch. 188, § 1; July 1.