Mystery as 600 dogs jump to their deaths from bridge in Scotland

An ancient bridge in Scotland has seen 600 dog deaths and has been dubbed the 'dog suicide bridge'.

The bridge at the 19th century Overtoun House has baffled pet owners over the years.

According to The Sun, all of the dogs that have jumped to their deaths are long-nosed breeds, such as retrievers.

Some have suggested paranormal activity at the historic site.

Speaking to The Huffington Post, Paul Owens, author of a new book on the mystery, said he believes the ghost of the White Lady of Overtoun is responsible for the deaths of the dogs and says he felt her presence a few years ago.

Lady Overtoun reportedly died in 1931 and locals say she passed on her sadness to the animals.

"I was up there one summer's day and I felt a very strong jab - like a phantom finger – twice in my back," Mr Owens said.

"It was the sensation you get when you fear someone might push you over the edge of a train platform."

The 51-year-old added: "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."

In 2006, Donna Cooper's collie dog Ben jumped to his death in front of her two-year-old son Callum.

She told the Daily Mail: "His paw was broken, his jaw was broken and his back was broken and badly twisted. The vet decided it wasn't worth putting him through the pain, so we had to let him go."

Meanwhile, a scientific view is that the dogs can smell something below the bridge, such as mink.

Dog behaviour consultant, John McGuigan, from Glasgow, told The Sun: "A dog doesn't have suicidal thoughts.

"It would have to know and understand that by jumping from that bridge, the consequence will be that it will end the suffering it is feeling, which is highly unlikely.

He added: "It's far more likely they're smelling something they like or are overwhelmed by the sensory stimulation, for example the rushing of the water."

In a Channel 5 documentary, canine psychologist Dr David Sands found a heavy presence of mink under the bridge.

He said: "When you get down to a dog's level, the solid granite of the bridge's 18-inch thick walls obscures their vision and blocks out all sound. As a result, the one sense not obscured, that of smell, goes into overdrive."

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