A 7-year-old boy in Lowell, MA was mauled to death by a pair of pit bulls Saturday evening after he reportedly entered the fenced enclosure in which the dogs were kept.

According to statements from local authorities, the child, who has not yet been identified, was pronounced dead at the scene upon the arrival of first responders, who shot one of the dogs that had escaped the enclosure as it approached police. The injured dog, which continued on its path toward officers even after incurring gunshot wounds, was eventually euthanized. The other dog in question remains in the custody of animal control.

Neighbors, many of whom placed 911 calls at the time of the incident, told investigators that they heard someone shouting, “It’s my baby! It’s my baby!” and watched in horror as the dogs attacked and killed the young boy.

As a mother and someone who was nearly mauled to death by a dog at the age of 6 and whose father was nearly fatally attacked by a pair of pit bulls that entered his yard years later, I would be lying if I said this didn’t scare the shit out of me. I have heard the stories of just how helpless my mother felt when she thought I was dead, and I cannot — CANNOT — imagine the nightmare this boy’s parents are enduring right now.

Pit bulls have notoriously been branded a dangerous breed, with many communities outright banning residents from owning them and others placing severe restrictions on how many of the breed residents can own and how the dogs must be restrained and cared for. Lowell, MA — the site of this deadly incident — limits residents to owning a maximum of 2 pit bulls, which must be both spayed or neutered and muzzled or contained in a temporary enclosure.

Those who agree that the breed is dangerous argue, among other things, that the dogs were initially bred to restrain other animals, sometimes fatally, and because of their history of being used for dog-fighting and baiting purposes, they are inclined to deadly attacks.

But those who disagree that pit bulls are inherently dangerous argue that while there have been deadly pit bull attacks, the breed is not predisposed to aggression. Rather, as with any other domesticated animal, it’s all in how owners raise and care for their pets.

For my part, while I can definitely empathize with those who advocate for safe communities when it comes to the types of pets people own given my personal experiences with near-fatal dog attacks, I am neither firmly anti-pit nor pro-pit. I am merely pro-responsible dog ownership. Period.

And while the debate regarding pit bulls rages on, there are already those who have jumped the shark and moved right onto the “Where were the parents?” bandwagon, citing the fact that the pit bulls were housed in an enclosure per city ordinance. And you know what I have to say about that?

STOP. JUST STOP.

We don’t know the specifics of the incident, and the victim’s family is reeling from what is likely one of the most tragic events to descend upon their lives.

Judgment is not helpful. But sending our love and support to the parents and all who were close to this young boy during this difficult time is.