The Overtoun or "Dog Suicide" Bridge

Bridge causes dogs to leap to their death for mysterious reasons

Category Architectural Oddities

Architectural Oddities http://atlasobscura.com/category/architectural-oddities

Located near the village of Milton in the burgh of Dumbarton, Scotland, exists a bridge that for some reason or another, has been attracting suicidal dogs since the early 60s. At a rate of around one a month, dogs have been regularly leaping from the bridge; an estimated 600 have been reported jumping.

Even more strange are the circumstances behind these incidents of kamikaze canines. Not only have they been plummeting to their deaths from the bridge, but many have witnessed the dogs actually climbing the parapet wall before making the jump. Even stranger are the reports of dogs surviving their brush with death, only to return to the bridge for a second attempt.

The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has sent representatives to investigate, but they too were stumped by the cause of the strange behavior.

In truth, it is almost certain that these dogs are not "committing suicide," (a concept that makes little sense in reference to animals) and that they do not intend to die, but rather something is luring them off the bridge before the dogs have time to realize the height. Though many theories have arisen on why these doggy 'suicides' occur at such a regular pace, perhaps the best theory is that a mink is marking the area with very strong scent, and that scent, combined with the bridge wall which makes it impossible for the dogs to realize the height, send the canines leaping over the edge after the compelling scent.

While this lines up with the evidence, - such as the deaths having occurred on sunny, dry days when the scent would have been strongest and with the time-line of mink introduction to Scotland - this no doubt does little to sooth the troubled soul of the dog's owner, who suicide or not, has lost a furry friend.

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  • Address Dumbarton, United Kingdom
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Comments

  • & Anonymous August 31, 2010
    I've crossed it with my dog and seen no inclinations of an urge to jump, although she was admittedly on a leash. It's a really fascinating structure though.
  • & Anonymous August 31, 2010
    I've crossed it with my dog and seen no inclinations of an urge to jump, although she was admittedly on a leash. It's a really fascinating structure though.
  • & Anonymous March 6, 2010
    First time I heard about it .Its really looking very danger bridge.
  • & Anonymous March 3, 2010
    I enjoyed reading this post. Thanks for a wonderful job! That bridge looks like it is thousands of years old.
  • & Anonymous December 13, 2009
    Dogs are just about as human as any animals
  • & Anonymous December 13, 2009
    That's not only weird but also very sad for dogs and doglovers.