SOUTH KINGSTOWN, Rhode Island - No one messes with Bonnie. The newest employee at the University of Rhode Island's Peckham Farm is a fuzzy four-foot-tall brown donkey, and she appears to be taking her livestock guarding responsibilities seriously.

　　Six-year-old Bonnie, who is pregnant and due in July, was brought in to keep watch over the animals, especially the sheep, at the university-owned and operated farm, after a gruesome incident with some domestic dogs. A student came in one morning to find blood around the barn and all the sheep injured with puncture wounds. One died and a second had to be put down. Coyotes have also been known to frequent the farm, where the university's animal science students work as part of their hands-on training.

　　"We haven't had any problems since Bonnie's been here," farm manager Dave Marshall said. And if a dog or coyote did approach the flock, Marshall said the donkey would bray loudly, stomp her feet and ultimately "eliminate him" if need be. "She can kick with all four feet," he said. The farm staff are considering the purchase of another adult donkey to help with farm security.