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

"She's the boss," said URI senior Josean Velez, 22, a biology and animal science major. "She's really protective. If you're going after the sheep, she's going after you."

Six-year-old Bonnie, who's 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 euthanized.

Coyotes have also been known to frequent the farm, where the university's animal science students work as part of their hands-on training.

After the attack, farm manager Dave Marshall, and URI lecturer Katherine Petersson, who teaches animal and veterinary science courses, brainstormed ideas to beef up security at Peckham's. Although an electric fence provides some protection, the two decided to invest in a guardian animal and found Bonnie at a farm in Pittsburgh.

Bonnie was trained to work with sheep and the farm specialists decided she would be a perfect match for their Rhode Island farm.

Marshall said that although not every donkey can work as a guardian, Bonnie was compatible with the farm and has done a "great job" in providing a second line of defense for the 22 adult sheep and 27 lambs, along with the rest of the livestock.

"We haven't had any problems since Bonnie's been here," 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.

According to Marshall, Bonnie has adapted well to her new surroundings. "I think she's the coolest thing in the place," he said.

The friendly donkey has a taste for treats. "If you have a carrot for her, she's your best buddy," the manager said.

And Velez, who works on the farm six days a week as part of his course studies, said Bonnie also has a sweet tooth and enjoys munching on the Dunkin' Donuts muffins and Girl Scout cookies he sneaks her. But typically, the donkey's diet consists of hay and feed.

Despite her sweet side, and growing fondness of people, Bonnie has a strong distaste for dogs.

"Donkeys really don't like dogs," Petersson said. "We're taking advantage of the natural dislike and using it to our benefit."

Another benefit will be the soon-to-be-born guardian donkey that's expected to join the farm family. Bonnie's offspring will most likely be trained by its mother, reacting to whatever she reacts to, according to Petersson. That means, when Bonnie's baby is big enough, there will be even more protection for the farm animals.

The farm staff are also considering purchasing another adult donkey to help with farm security. This would allow them to separate the flocks without making Bonnie work double-time.