A Suffolk woman who saved an XL Bully named Nigel just days before the ban on the breed has said the government's plan is 'complete rubbish' and could lead to more and more dogs being put under threat.

Vanessa Rodgers, who lives in Debenham with her husband Lorry, 13-year-old son Tyler, and Staffy dog Bella, officially adopted Nigel from Suffolk Animal Rescue on December 27 after weeks of meetings and play sessions.

Since December 31, it has become against the law to sell, abandon, give away or breed an XL Bully dog, as well as to have one in public without a lead and a muzzle.

East Anglian Daily Times: Vanessa Rodgers with XL Bully NigelVanessa Rodgers with XL Bully Nigel (Image: Vanessa Rodgers)

And from February 1 it will become a criminal offence to own an XL Bully in England and Wales unless you have a Certificate of Exemption and adhere to strict rules around microchipping and neutering. 

Owners who decide not to keep their XL Bully dogs have been told they should take their dog to a vet to euthanise it, for which there will be a compensation scheme towards the cost. 

East Anglian Daily Times: Nigel the XL with the family dog Bella the StaffyNigel the XL with the family dog Bella the Staffy (Image: Vanessa Rodgers)

Of Nigel, Ms Rodgers said: "I fell in love with him as soon as I saw him and I knew I couldn't leave him there to risk not being rehomed," she said. 

"I have always grown up around dogs that are described amongst the 'most dangerous' and know the stigma of it all is a load of rubbish.

"They [XL Bully dogs] are the most loveable, big softies of breeds." 

East Anglian Daily Times: The family adopted Nigel on December 27 and he has been settling in ever sinceThe family adopted Nigel on December 27 and he has been settling in ever since (Image: Vanessa Rodgers)

Ms Rodgers said she believes the government ban on XL Bully dogs was unfair and said she thinks public anger will soon turn to other large breeds.

"I think that the ban is complete rubbish to be honest," she said

East Anglian Daily Times: Nigel was adopted from Suffolk Animal RescueNigel was adopted from Suffolk Animal Rescue (Image: Vanessa Rodgers)

"People will move on and we will end up with a big list of dogs that are banned and they will just keep going.

"It is horrible to know there will be some dogs out there that have been put down over this ban. I think it is ridiculous. 

East Anglian Daily Times: Nigel the XL BullyNigel the XL Bully (Image: Vanessa Rodgers)

"If I had all the land in the world and money to fund them I would've taken them all on."

Ms Rodgers said Bella and Nigel are getting on very well and Nigel is settling into his new life in his forever home.