Overtoun Bridge Dog Deaths
Dogs leap to their deaths from the same spot on this Scottish bridge. Over 600 dogs have jumped. 50 have died. Some survived—and jumped again. Always from the same side, between the same parapets. No one knows why. Scientists are baffled.
Overtoun Bridge drives dogs to suicide.
The Pattern
Since the 1950s, over 600 dogs have jumped from the bridge with 50+ confirmed deaths. Every incident occurs at the same spot on the right side between two specific parapets, creating a pattern that defies explanation.
The Behavior
Dogs suddenly leap without warning over the 50-foot drop. Some survive the fall, and disturbingly, many of these survivors return to jump again, suggesting a compulsion beyond normal animal behavior.
The Investigation
Scientists have studied the mink scent theory, which proposes that the smell of mink living below the bridge attracts dogs to that specific jump point. However, this theory doesn’t fully explain the intense compulsion that drives dogs to leap rather than simply investigate.
The Questions
Several aspects remain unexplained. Why are only certain dogs affected? Why do survivors attempt repeat jumps? What creates such intense compulsion? Local medieval curse legends add supernatural speculation to the mystery.
The Theories
Possible causes include mink or animal scent overwhelming dogs’ hunting instincts, optical illusions that prevent dogs from seeing the drop, claims that the bridge is haunted by malevolent forces, supernatural energy specific to the location, or some combination of these factors working together.
Today
Warning signs have been posted and dogs are required to be kept on leads while crossing the bridge. Despite these precautions, jumps still happen, though with reduced frequency. The mystery continues to baffle scientists and paranormal investigators alike.