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The mystery of why up to 100 dogs have leapt to their deaths from Overtoun Bridge has baffled locals for decades.

The ancient bridge has infamously earned the name Dog Suicide Bridge as stunned owners have watched in horror as their pets jump over the side without warning.

Now Dumbarton man Paul Owens is offering an explosive take on the phenomenon.

One suggestion was that the potent odour from male mink urine was luring dogs to jump.

But Paul offers new insights into the saga in his book ‘The Baron of Rainbow Bridge: Unravelling Overtoun’s Death Leaping Dog Mystery’.

Eleven years in the making, it challenges the commonly accepted explanation given by canine expert David Sands.

First-time author Owens argues that Overtoun historically has been cloaked in a blanket of supernatural activity including fairies, presences, spirits, earth energies, and ghosts.

Overtoun’s most famous White Lady ghost is said to stalk the bridge after being left stricken after the death of her husband Baron Overtoun, who built it.

Paul asks whether it could it be these paranormal entities which supersensitive dogs are picking up at the bridge.

Paul, 54, told the Lennox Herald: “Dogs have leapt from Overtoun Bridge in all seasons and from every part of the viaduct.

“With teams of scientists, animal experts, psychics, ghost hunters and dowsers all visiting the bridge, there has been little agreement between mystery hunters as to the cause of the dog leaping phenomenon. But they are agreed on one overriding fact: it happens.

“With new evidence gathered from teams of psychics, ghost hunters and dowsers who carried out research at the bridge, a new picture of Overtoun is emerging: a supernatural one.

“These findings are consistent with those who have crossed Overtoun Bridge.

“But I look in-depth at all theories in the book and readers will have the chance to make up their own minds.”

Local man Eugene Hogan, whose golden labrador Drift leapt from the bridge, says in the book: “Something just gripped it. Something went through it, like a poltergeist”.

Ian Fisher, a retired police officer who ran a dog walking service, is another witness who tells his story in the new publication.

He walked across the bridge towards Overtoun House with Jess, a border collie.

He said: “I noticed a grey, shadowy figure standing at one of the bay windows. It was there for a few seconds and then it was gone. What was strange was that Overtoun House was unoccupied at that time.”

Paul added: “You still get a lot of dog walkers up there with their pets not on a leash. It seems many people won’t believe it will happen to their pet until it happens to them.

“I’ve interviewed a lot of owners whose dogs have leapt from the bridge and many of them thought just that. One used to joke about it.”

We helped Paul, who now lives in Glasgow but visits the town regularly, appeal for dog owners to come forward and tell their stories five years ago.

Paul is the son of a well-known Scottish journalist and newspaper editor, who ran a news agency in Dumbarton for many years.

He said: “An invaluable source of information was the archives of the Lennox Herald as well as a whole series of interviews I conducted with individuals and their families in Dumbarton.”

Paul will launch his book on Thursday, June 28, at Dumbuck House Hotel in Dumbarton, where he will read excerpts and speak about the phenomenon.

The author, who takes calls from around the world on the subject, said: “The book will be of interest to those who are interested in unexplained mysteries, the supernatural and everyone who owns a dog.”

Several guest speakers also be accompanying Paul Owens at the event, including Pastor Bob Hill who runs the Christian Centre for Hope and Healing at Overtoun House, and Alice Trevorrow, a psychic medium whose own dog Cassie leapt from the bridge.

Paul said: “It is also appropriate that the book launch is being staged in the setting of the Dumbuck Hotel, a venue which itself housed the first meetings of Kosmoid, a secret group to which Baron Overtoun, the builder of Overtoun Bridge, was pledged which dabbled in alchemy: the art of the fallen angels.

“I believe it uncovers the hidden story of the bridge for the first time. Readers will get the whole perspective.

“I personally don’t buy into the scientific explanations just because of what I’ve experienced myself at the bridge.”

The event gets underway at 7pm. To learn more about the author visit his website at www.paulowens.org.

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