Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell and the Humane Society of the United States on Tuesday outlines animal-fighting legislation introduced in the General Assembly.

Bills filed in the House of Delegates and Senate seek to make all animal fighting a Class Six felony. Current law applies only to dogfighting.

Possessing performance enhancers intended for use in animals would also be a Class Six felony. The bills would also allow officers with search warrants to search the property of suspected animal fighters at any time.

McDonnell's push for stricter legislation comes after former NFL quarterback Michael Vick was convicted last year for leading a dogfighting operation out of his home in rural Virginia.

The bills, HB 656 and SB 592, address several issues:

- Allow searches regarding animal cruelty cases to be conducted after sunset without more authorization.

- Make other forms of animal fighting a Class 6 felony raising it on par with dog fighting.

- Make it a Class 6 felony to use any device or substance to enhance an animal’s ability to fight.

- Make attendance at an animal fight a Class 1 misdemeanor

- Make allowing a minor to attend a fight or be involved in an animal fight a Class 1 misdemeanor.

- Provide for streamlining of the forfeiture of animals so that they don’t have to be held for years without resolution to the case.

- Ensure that bond will now have to be posted if an owner is contesting the forfeiture of fighting animals.

Groups who support this legislation include:

- Richmond Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

- Virginia Federation of Humane Societies

- Virginia Animal Fighting Task Force

- Virginia Animal Control Association

- Richmond Animal Care & Control

- Virginia Anti-Dogfighting Coalition

- Virginia Poultry Federation

- Virginia Sheriffs’ Association

- Delmarva Poultry Industry Inc.