Scotland’s Overtoun Bridge, Where Dogs Go To Die
In the past 70 years hundreds of dogs have been killed or injured leaping from the bridge without any obvious provocation
In Dumbarton, Scotland, there’s a quaint bridge that dates back to the 19th century called the Overtoun Bridge. It’s a beautiful relic from the past for the sleepy town of just over 20,000 residents. However, it actually has a terrifying reputation for its apparent deadly impact on dogs, and is often better known as the “dog suicide bridge.”
Built in the Gothic style, the bridge is a rather unassuming structure, spanning a rocky ravine approximately 50 feet below. However, its legacy is much more sinister, as going back until at least the 1950s numerous dogs have leapt off the bridge. Sadly, many of these animals have died while others suffered significant injuries. One dog even allegedly survived its jump, ran back up the embankment and jumped again. An article by Vice’s James McMahon reported that around 50 dogs have perished by jumping off the bridge since the 1950s, and around 600 have been known to have made the leap and survived.
The story of the bridge and its deadly connection to canines has been covered in a variety of news reports and even been featured in a book by Paul Owens. Despite the attention…
