If the owner or keeper of an animal impounded does not appear, or does not appoint an appraiser, or if the appraisers appointed by the parties do not agree upon a third person, the impounder may apply to a Superior judge who by law can judge between the parties in civil causes, who shall appoint one or more appraisers, as the case requires. (Amended 1965, No. 194, § 10, eff. Feb. 1, 1967; 1973, No. 249 (Adj. Sess.), § 74, eff. April 9, 1974.)