library(XML)

str <- readLines(tc <- textConnection('<Students>
  <Student Name="April" Gender="F" DateOfBirth="1989-01-02" />
  <Student Name="Bob" Gender="M"  DateOfBirth="1990-03-04" />
  <Student Name="Chad" Gender="M"  DateOfBirth="1991-05-06" />
  <Student Name="Dave" Gender="M"  DateOfBirth="1992-07-08">
    <Pet Type="dog" Name="Rover" />
  </Student>
  <Student DateOfBirth="1993-09-10" Gender="F" Name="&
</Students>'))
close(tc)
str