OVERTOUN BRIDGE DOG SUICIDES

ORIGIN: Dumbarton, Scotland.

The Overtoun Bridge has earned its reputation due to an unexplained phenomenon: for decades, dogs have kept leaping of the bridge to their deaths.

The bridge was built in the 19th century, spans the Overtoun Burn below and is surrounded by folklore.

Since the 1950s, locals and visitors have reported that dogs— long-nosed breeds like collies and retrievers— seem to suddenly become hypnotised while crossing the bridge. 

… They leap over the edge, falling nearly 50 feet to their deaths on the rocks below.

Some dogs that survived the fall return and jump down again. 

More than 50 fatal cases have been reported, with hundreds of other dogs having jumped but survived.

There have been many theories regarding the cause of these strange suicides, because before all these, animals have not been known to commit suicide.

Some say that the bridge holds supernatural energy, as Overtoun House nearby has long been said to house ghostly activities.

Others believe the scent of mink, which is much in the area, might be triggering an irresistible hunting instinct in dogs. 

However, no scientific explanation has fully explained these incidents.