Posted on 12/23/2012 11:46:01 AM PST by BenLurkin
Over the last 50 years dozens of pet dogs have leapt from the 50ft bridge for no apparent reason, usually on clear sunny days. Each of the dogs jumped from the same spot between two parapets on the right-hand side. In 2005 the problem was so bad that 5 dogs jumped to their deaths off the bridge within the space of 6 months. The SSPCA ( Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ) considers the matter a 'heartbreaking mystery'.
Many theories have been proposed to explain these peculiar circumstances. Some people believe that the dogs have jumped because the bridge is haunted, they they were perhaps lured by an otherworldly scent. One story suggests that in 1994, a local man threw a baby from the bridge because he believed him to be the anti-Christ. Celtic mythology also attributes an otherworldly feel to the area with Overtoun being considered a 'thin place' between Heaven and Earth
(Excerpt) Read more at unexplained-mysteries.com ...
My theory is someone is dropping the dogs over the side. Unless there is video?
My theory is some sort of a peculiar optical illusion.
‘otherworldly scent”.
So doggie heaven smells like bacon.. everyone knows that!
My thought exactly. The sun and shadow plays a trick on their limited eyesight and ooops.
Ghosts? Demons? Phooey.
Some dogs will chase sticks, frisbees, and balls anywhere.
Birds?
Limited eyesight? I have always marveled at dogs’ sight.
I wonder if they are going after birds, gulls or pigeons? Even my puppy will track birds as they fly overhead. I am sure he really wishes he could fly.
That was my thought too
“My theory is some sort of a peculiar optical illusion.”
Whatever makes you feel safe and doesn’t defy your particular version of reality is OK. :)
Probably cause they couldn’t understand a friggin word coming out of anybody’s mouth.
Depends on the breed. Bird dogs have good eye sight. Chihuahuas not so much but they can hear better than other breeds. There’s always one sense than compensates for the lack of other senses. I think it’s the bloodhound that can ‘smell’ better than any other breed and their droopy ears serve the purpose of swooping up the scent to help them ‘smell’ better. Intelligent design for sure! Oh yes, and dogs with hooked or curly-cue tails usually come from cold climates and this feature helps prevent their tails from freezing and breaking off (kept close to the body for heat). Incredible.
One particular spot in one particular type of day makes me think unique optical illusions to the spot with its lighting at that time
Dog vision is something of a trade off. Compared to humans, they have an inordinate proportion of rods to cones, meaning that while they are far more perceptive of light, shadow and movement, their visual acuity and ability to resolve detail are less than humans, and their perception of color is washed out. Whereas humans perceive three primary colors (red, yellow, blue) dogs lose visibility of colors in the red wavelengths.
Keep in mind that for a typical human, almost 90% of our sensory input is through our eyes. Only about 10% or so of what we know about the world around us comes through taste, hearing, touch and smell. Dog senses are far more balanced, and in some situations, their olfactory receptors actually assume the role of their primary sense organ.
It is possible that the dogs in this case could experience some type of optical illusion that isn't an optical illusion to humans, but that still wouldn't explain why they seem to be attracted to the spot in the first place...
One of the victims on the bridge was collie dog Ben, who leaped to his death in 1995 while taking a walk with his owner Donna Cooper, her husband, and her son, Callum. Without any warning, Ben just leapt over the parapet and landed on the rocks below after a 50ft fall. Suffering a broken paw, back and jaw, the vet decided that it wasn’t worth putting him through the pain. “Callum still asks about Ben.
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