ELKINS, W.Va. -- The owners of a dog seized in February have filed a civil lawsuit in Randolph County to have their pet returned.

Verda and Charles Wiseman are suing the Randolph County Humane Society, the dog warden and the county commission.

The couple's 9-year-old female mixed breed was taken to the shelter Feb. 3 after it was found on the porch of a neighbor.

The Wisemans sought the dog later that day but they were told they faced three misdemeanor violations and a $600 fine. They did not have the money for the fine and left.

A Humane Society official tells The Inter-Mountain the Wisemans had received several warnings about letting the dog run free. They also said it had no rabies or tax tags.