D.C. Code § 16-509: Attachment of personal property; undertaking by defendant or person in possession.

(a)

An attachment shall be levied upon personal chattels by the officer taking them into his possession and custody, unless the defendant gives the officer his undertaking to be filed in the cause, with sufficient security, substantially in the form set forth in subsection (b) of this section, or unless the person in whose possession the property is attached gives the officer his undertaking to be filed in the cause substantially in the form set forth in subsection (c) of this section. In cases where such undertakings are given, the attachment is sufficiently levied by the taking of the undertaking.

(b)

The recital of the undertaking in this subsection shall contain a sufficient description of the property and its value ascertained by an appraisement to be made under direction of the officer and returned with the writ.