2440                                       LAWS OF MARYLAND                                Ch. 838

NOT BE COMPROMISED, DISCONTINUED, OR DISMISSED BY CONSENT,
BY DEFAULT, OR FOR NEGLECT TO PROSECUTE, EXCEPT WITH THE
APPROVAL OF THE COURT. THE APPROVAL MAY NOT BE GRANTED WHEN
THE COURT DETERMINES THAT A MONETARY SETTLEMENT, IN EXCESS
OF COURT COSTS AND ATTORNEYS FEES, HAS BEEN OFFERED BY A
DEFENDANT TO A PLAINTIFF, WHO HAS STANDING TO SUE ONLY BY
VIRTUE OF THIS SUBTITLE, AS CONSIDERATION FOR THE
SETTLEMENT. IF THE COURT UPON APPLICATION OF A DEFENDANT
DETERMINES THAT AN ACTION IN WHICH A PLAINTIFF HAS ACQUIRED
STANDING SOLELY BY VIRTUE OF THIS SUBTITLE WAS BROUGHT IN
BAD FAITH OR SOLELY FOR PURPOSES OF HARASSMENT OR DELAY, IT
MAY, AFTER FURTHER HEARING ON THIS SPECIFIC QUESTION, AWARD
TO THE DEFENDANT AGAINST THE PLAINTIFF A JUDGMENT FOR ALL
OR PART OF THE COURT COSTS, INCLUDING ATTORNEYS FEES, AS THE
DEFENDANT MAY ESTABLISH WERE INCURRED BY HIM IN DEFENDING
THE ACTION TOGETHER WITH ANY DAMAGES SUSTAINED BY THE
DEFENDANT AS A RESULT OF THE ACTION HAVING BEEN BROUGHT,
INCLUDING WITNESS FEES.

(E) THE MARYLAND RULES OF PROCEDURE APPLY TO ALL
ACTIONS BROUGHT UNDER THIS SUBTITLE EXCEPT WHERE THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBTITLE SPECIFICALLY DESCRIBE OTHER
PROCEDURES.

1-508. EXISTING RIGHTS AND REMEDIES RESERVED.
IT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS SUBTITLE TO PROVIDE CERTAIN
REMEDIES TO ABATE THE POLLUTION, DESTRUCTION, OR SUBSTANTIAL
OR UNREASONABLE IMPAIRMENT OF THE AIR, WATER, OR OTHER
NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE STATE AND THEREFORE NOTHING
CONTAINED IN IT ABRIDGES OR ALTERS RIGHTS OF ACTION OR
REMEDIES WHICH EXIST. A PROVISION IN THIS SUBTITLE, OR ANY
ACT DONE BY VIRTUE OF THIS SUBTITLE, MAY NOT BE CONSTRUED AS
ESTOPPING OR LIMITING THE STATE OR ANY PERSON IN THE
EXERCISE OF HIS RIGHTS TO SUPPRESS NUISANCES OR TO ABATE ANY
POLLUTION.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1978.

Approved May 29, 1978.

CHAPTER 839

(Senate Bill 968)

AN ACT concerning

Domestic Animals — Identification of Ownership

FOR the purpose of prohibiting the disposal of domestic
animals until their ownership can be ascertained by an
inspection; providing for notice to the owner of
domestic animals; providing for disposal of domestic