Why Have 600 Dogs Jumped From Suicide Bridge? Locals Believe That It’s Haunted

Over 600 dogs have reportedly jumped from a “haunted suicide bridge,” which has left at least 50 of the animals dead. And now it’s been alleged that the reason they have been jumping is because the bridge is haunted.

There doesn’t seem to be a legitimate reason for these jumps from the 50-foot bridge. According to the Huffington Post, dogs have been jumping off the bridge to the sharp rocks below from as early as the 1950s.

The bridge is located in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, and locals from the area have insisted that the “White Lady of Overtoun‘s” spirit is the reason why these dogs are jumping.

Paul Owens, a religion and philosophy teacher who is writing a book on the phenomenon, previously explained to the Sun, via the Mirror, that he felt a supernatural force trying to push him over the bridge.

“I was standing there two years ago when I felt a firm, hard prod that felt like a finger. Something or someone was trying to push me over the bridge too, just like the dogs.”

Owens also told the Huffington Post, “It’s a very strange place. One of the things peculiar to the location is that it can seem very peaceful and tranquil, but it can turn at a moment’s notice.”

However, one of the more plausible explanations is that the minks below the bridge are attracting the dogs to leap because of their scent.

Jackie Baillie, the local Member of Scottish Parliament, revealed that she was fully aware of the issue and the fact that it had left so many dog-owners grief stricken.

“I have heard many heartbreaking stories abut dog owners who have lost their pets due to this unexplained phenomenon.”

Meanwhile, Dr. David Sands, an animal behaviorist who investigated these incidents for Animal Planet, explained that a combination of things have combined that lead the dogs to jump.

“Just me as a person, all of your senses are on fire, you can sense and smell the waterfall. I can smell the undergrowth, and I can see the Gothic part of the bridge. I’ve looked at pictures but coming to the place for the first time, it has a kind of strange feeling.

It’s perfectly natural for people to want to look down and I’m wondering if it’s the same for dogs. It think it’s highly likely at all of the cases that it was curiosity that killed the dog.”

Speaking to the Herald Scotland about these deaths, Joyce Stewart, who is a leading animal behaviorist, admitted that they were abnormal, and stated that the fact five dogs had reportedly jumped to their deaths in one six month period was bizarre.

“Dogs are very able to gauge the heights and depths they can safely jump. Some people will say this is very spooky and would look for another reason.

I have never heard of a dog committing suicide. Often if they know they are going to die, they might go into hiding, but I have never heard of them actually taking their own lives.

This is very weird. For five dogs to have done the same thing at the same spot is very mysterious. But there must be some rational explanation for it that has just not emerged.

The bridge and what has happened there need to be urgently investigated.”

Meanwhile, in order to try and stem the increasing number of deaths on the bridge, a sign has been erected that reads, “Dangerous Bridge: Please keep your dog on a lead.”

[Image via Pontus Edenberg / Shutterstock]