In this post, we will examine the Overtoun Bridge located in Dumbarton, Scotland. This century-old bridge stretches across a 50-foot gorge, and since the 1950’s it’s been renowned for driving bizarre behavior in dogs. More specifically, ever since its inception, dogs off leash have jumped off the bridge into the rocks below with many suffering horrific injuries and at least 50 dying.
Official estimates state around 300 dogs have jumped from the bridge, while unofficial estimates place this number to be much higher. Due to this, locals in Dumbarton started calling the bridge the “Dog suicide bridge.”
In 2016, Lottie Mackinnon was walking with her border collie, Bonnie toward the Bridge when she would witness something strange happening to her canine. As they reached the beginning of the bridge, her dog froze initially but then something came over her. Bonnie took off and without hesitation jumped off Overtoun Bridge. Luckily, Bonnie survived the fall.
Ms. Mackinnon is one of many who have had to suffer and watch their dog jump from the Bridge.
While a good number of dogs have jumped many people have reported their dogs on leash acted extremely strange around Overtoun Bridge.
Emma Dunlop is one person who watched her dog act extremely weird on the bridge. She noted how her dog froze and hesitated before getting on the bridge.
Unlike many unexplained phenomena and mysterious events, its uncommon to have such consensus that something bizarre is happening. the Mainstream media, dog experts, locals, tourists, paranormal researchers and pretty much everyone agree that something is happening to canines on this bridge.
One other fact to consider is that its most likely the case the dogs are not committing suicide but are being drawn by something below the bridge.
The question then becomes what is driving these dogs to jump and act erratically?
There are several different theories on this.
The first is that the area is a thin place. Thin Places are physical locations where the border between the spiritual world and our world becomes thinner. In theory, this could allow for spirits or beings from the ‘other side’ to pass into our world much easier than they could elsewhere. Some say the other side is Heaven or Hell while others say it is another dimension.
It is said dogs are able to perceive something that humans simply cannot at Overtoun Bridge.
Dogs’ ability to sense things humans cannot, this is backed by science as well. According to Dr. Mary Burch, a certified animal behaviorist, dogs have a sixth sense, which makes it easier for them to see something, or sense something, that a human wouldn’t necessarily notice. This sixth sense is why sometimes canines will bark at an empty spot in a room or react to something that seemingly isn’t there. Most people are aware dogs are able to hear high pitched sounds, have an incredible sense of smell, see better in the dark and sense storms coming. The fact of the matter is we are still learning a great deal about their senses.
All this raises the question surrounding how far these senses reach and whether canines can sense other worlds?
Unfortunately, to date there’s no direct scientific proof evidence that other worlds exist, a link between dogs and other worlds cannot be proven. However, anyone who has owned a dog can most likely recall instances where their dog growled at something not there.
A second theory, related to the first, is that the spirit of Grace Eliza McClure haunts below the bridge. Known to locals as “the white lady of Overtoun”, Grace was married to John Smith, who built the bridge. John Smith died suddenly in 1921 and it’s said that a heartbroken Grace wanders the Overtoun grounds. Some have reported seeing the white lady in the Overtoun house and around it. It should be said, throughout the world white lady apparitions are often seen as phantom hitchhikers and haunting places where tragedy occurred.
The last theory states that something worldly, like a scent is drawing the dogs to leap. Bob Hill, a resident of the area says he has seen several dogs jump from the bridge during his 17 years in the area. He states dogs are attracted to the animals below, most notably the minks and pine tartens. He also notes the wall of the bridge is sloping and as dogs jump on the wall sometimes, they slide down it into the gorge.
While this seems like a plausible explanation, many question why are dogs not jumping off other bridges around the world? Surely, there are other bridges with wild animals lurking underneath, yet we don’t see abnormally high numbers of dogs jumping off them. Some say that the numbers themselves are overblown and exaggerated. These individuals feel that the suicide bridge is more of an urban legend than anything else.
One important question to explore is whether dogs are cognizant of heights? Most dog experts say dogs are aware of heights and their danger, yet this varies based on a dog’s life experiences. There’s also quite a difference between dog breeds as well and their ability to sense different things. For instance, bloodhounds can smell 130 miles away at least, more than any other dog. Also, dogs like people have personalities with some being dominant and protective while others being more passive in nature.
Regardless of all the reports though, many people still walk with their dog off leash over the bridge. Local residents report that many skeptics don’t believe it until they see it.
