NORTH AUGUSTA – Students, faculty and staff members at Merriwether Elementary School continued to grieve Monday following the loss of one of their own over the weekend in a tragic incident in which a fourth-grader was mauled by a family pet.

According to the McCormick County coroner’s office, nine-year-old Kristen Lee Dutton had been walking the dog for much of Saturday when the animal – a 98-pound Akita purchased only three weeks ago by a family member – suddenly turned on the little girl.

No one else was present during the attack and she was found later by another family member. She was pronounced dead at the Medical College of Georgia on Saturday afternoon.

“We’re not sure what happened to make the dog attack her,” said McCormick County coroner Faye Puckett. “It’s very sad.”

Ms. Puckett said the animal had been secured and was scheduled to be examined this week by officials with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control who would be testing the dog for rabies infection.

The Akita is a large-breed dog which originated in Japan. According to information on the American Kennel Club’s website, “Akita temperament can range from calm to bouncy and aggressive, so the breed should always be supervised around small children and other animals.”

The dogs can weigh up to 120 pounds.

Counselors and support staff were dispatched to MES on Monday for students and faculty members, with more on standby according to Edgefield County School District spokesperson Sandra Friar.

“(Superintendent) Dr. Crenshaw put all that into motion on yesterday,” said Ms. Friar.

Merriwether Elementary School principal Wayne Marchant said the news has been very difficult for everyone at the school.

“It’s been hard,” he said.

Visitation is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday with funeral services to take place on Wednesday at 3 p.m. Posey Funeral Directors of North Augusta is in charge of arrangements.