Do Dogs Commit Suicide?
In the past six months five dogs have fallen to their death off a bridge in Dumbarton, Scotland. This fact does not seem to be disputed. What is controversial is whether or not the dogs fell because they committed suicide. Or did they think they saw something and accidentally leapt? In the most recent case a woman claims that she was out walking her dog when it suddenly ran away from her "vaulted over the parapet and plunged 40ft to its death."
Some animal behaviorists are dismissing the notion that suicide was the cause of the dogs' deaths, arguing that dogs never commit suicide. Personally, I'm not sure what to think. I did once hear about a dog who was so despondent after its master died that it walked out to some train tracks and lay there until a train ran it over. However, I'll concede that this story may be an urban legend because I can't remember where I heard it. And I doubt that five dogs in a row would commit suicide in the same place. However, this bridge in Dumbarton does have a spooky history. In 1994 a guy threw his two-week-old son off of it, believing that the child was the Antichrist. So believers in the supernatural are having a field day with this case.
Some animal behaviorists are dismissing the notion that suicide was the cause of the dogs' deaths, arguing that dogs never commit suicide. Personally, I'm not sure what to think. I did once hear about a dog who was so despondent after its master died that it walked out to some train tracks and lay there until a train ran it over. However, I'll concede that this story may be an urban legend because I can't remember where I heard it. And I doubt that five dogs in a row would commit suicide in the same place. However, this bridge in Dumbarton does have a spooky history. In 1994 a guy threw his two-week-old son off of it, believing that the child was the Antichrist. So believers in the supernatural are having a field day with this case.
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i dont think dogs can commit suicide coz did the person see this happen?????????????????????
someone might've thrown them over the bride and as for the dog lying on the rail way maybe its true but theres gotta be a reason behind it all think sensible u guys
Posted by jessica on Sun Jul 17, 2005 at 05:09 PM
someone might've thrown them over the bride and as for the dog lying on the rail way maybe its true but theres gotta be a reason behind it all think sensible u guys
jacinta said:
"i dont think dogs do commit suicide but they still should gerta drivers license first"
Oh, I think we ALL agree that a dog should get a driver's license before getting behind the wheel of a car. Who could possibly argue with THAT?
My heart bleeds every holiday weekend when I see the reports on the TV news about all the dogs who drank before driving and lost their lives. The carnage MUST stop. Now.
I've been thinking about forming a group called Mothers Against Drunk Driving Dogs (MADDD). It would, of course, be open to people who aren't mothers but who share the aims of the organization. We CAN fix this problem, people, if we will only start MADDD chapters across the country. The first step is to NEVER give the car keys to your dog if he or she is intoxicated, no matter how much they beg.
Posted by crankymediaguy on Mon Jul 18, 2005 at 12:43 AM
"i dont think dogs do commit suicide but they still should gerta drivers license first"
Oh, I think we ALL agree that a dog should get a driver's license before getting behind the wheel of a car. Who could possibly argue with THAT?
My heart bleeds every holiday weekend when I see the reports on the TV news about all the dogs who drank before driving and lost their lives. The carnage MUST stop. Now.
I've been thinking about forming a group called Mothers Against Drunk Driving Dogs (MADDD). It would, of course, be open to people who aren't mothers but who share the aims of the organization. We CAN fix this problem, people, if we will only start MADDD chapters across the country. The first step is to NEVER give the car keys to your dog if he or she is intoxicated, no matter how much they beg.
Jessica, possibly a close friend of Jacinta's said:
"someone might've thrown them over the bride and as for the dog lying on the rail way maybe its true but theres gotta be a reason behind it all think sensible u guys"
Yeah, think sensible, u guys! Someone MIGHT have thrown the dogs over the bride. As the founder and spokesman for MADDD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving Dogs), I can tell you my organization is also against people throwing dogs in the vicinity of bridal parties in general.
Posted by crankymediaguy on Mon Jul 18, 2005 at 12:46 AM
"someone might've thrown them over the bride and as for the dog lying on the rail way maybe its true but theres gotta be a reason behind it all think sensible u guys"
Yeah, think sensible, u guys! Someone MIGHT have thrown the dogs over the bride. As the founder and spokesman for MADDD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving Dogs), I can tell you my organization is also against people throwing dogs in the vicinity of bridal parties in general.
After people read the KNIGHT RIDDER TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE story about the bridge in question, there will be alot more activity on this thread, I bet. I found it interesting the new owner, Bob Hill, a Christian missionary from Fort Worth, Texas, got his retreat mentioned. Pictures of the bridge can be seen at http://overtounhouse.com/estatetour/index.html
Posted by Duncan on Thu Aug 04, 2005 at 04:28 PM
I heard one theory that the whole "Canine Suicide" thing is just a strange ploy to get Christian interest in the Overtourn House from around the world -- you know, donations and stuff.
Others say the dogs are just suicides, like the suicide bomber dogs in the news:
http://www.poe-news.com/stories.php?poeurlid=42497
Me, I say it's ghosts. Yeah. GHOSTS. There I said it.Did anyone hear about the antichrist guy? Who killed his kid on that very bridge? There's yer damn proof right there! :D
Posted by J. on Tue Sep 20, 2005 at 02:24 PM
Others say the dogs are just suicides, like the suicide bomber dogs in the news:
http://www.poe-news.com/stories.php?poeurlid=42497
Me, I say it's ghosts. Yeah. GHOSTS. There I said it.Did anyone hear about the antichrist guy? Who killed his kid on that very bridge? There's yer damn proof right there! :D
i once knew a dog that jumped off my neighbors roff onto a pitch fork...
it seemed like suicide to me....
Posted by AnthraX on Thu Oct 20, 2005 at 10:01 PM
it seemed like suicide to me....
i think dogs can commit suicide. i had a friend once who had a dog. when the dog got pregnant and lost all of it's babies, she sat in her basket for hours. the next day when i walked to my friends house, i saw her dog sitting on the side of a busy road., all of a sudden a lorry came past and the dog walked infront of it. it was dreadful!!!
Posted by stacey williams on Wed Nov 09, 2005 at 08:16 AM
I think the video at the site below will explain everything:
http://www.boreme.com/boreme/funny-2005/dog-suicide-p1.php
Posted by Kevin on Tue Nov 15, 2005 at 03:25 PM
http://www.boreme.com/boreme/funny-2005/dog-suicide-p1.php
Dogs commiting suicide, whales getting beached, daredevil fowl, what's next?
I'll tell you. Last night, when I was babysitting my younger brother, there's a small sound, and he's all, "Sissy! Whatz zayt?" 'cause he's currently mastering the art of speech. It's taking him long enough- But I digress. So it turns out that it's a rat, and it had boldly come out of its hole to confront Passionflower, my Turkish Angora (a cat), and of course, Passionflower kills it.
Suicidal dogs, beached whales, daredevil fowl, and demented rats, that's what.
Posted by Mr. Lavatory, the automated spam bot on Sun Nov 20, 2005 at 09:25 PM
I'll tell you. Last night, when I was babysitting my younger brother, there's a small sound, and he's all, "Sissy! Whatz zayt?" 'cause he's currently mastering the art of speech. It's taking him long enough- But I digress. So it turns out that it's a rat, and it had boldly come out of its hole to confront Passionflower, my Turkish Angora (a cat), and of course, Passionflower kills it.
Suicidal dogs, beached whales, daredevil fowl, and demented rats, that's what.
Barghest, I don't know if dogs commit suicide, but I know I was going to die of laughing while reading your posting, and certainly my story of dying in such cruel way would be part of Rotten headlines. I don't know why, but I found that to be really funny. Maybe your expressions had contributed for this hysterical laughing of mine. Anyway, that was amusing, that's for sure. Thanks.
Posted by Susan on Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 01:25 PM
I live in the town where this is said to have happened and live fairly close to where this is. I have often walked as a child up past the bridge and had barbecues there, and have walked my dog up there. I haven't heard this talked about a lot locally. I did know about the baby, as a friend of mine was out on a walk with his wife and witnessed the father throwing the aby over the wall. He came to see us the same day as we live nearby and he as haken up.
the father went into a mental hospital/prison
Posted by jan on Tue Oct 17, 2006 at 07:05 PM
the father went into a mental hospital/prison
I saw a program on this just now, aparently, the strong smell of ferrets from the other side of the river was causeing the dogs to jump down to investigate, since they only percived the stones and solidness of the bridge, and could not see over it.
Posted by skellious on Wed Oct 18, 2006 at 02:13 PM
I watch the program last night on this. wasted a hour of my life! I believe in ghosts so i think it has something to do with the bridge and the house being haunted!
Posted by Shadow on Thu Oct 19, 2006 at 05:22 AM
Shadow said:
"I believe in ghosts so i think it has something to do with the bridge and the house being haunted!"
What reason do you have to believe in ghosts? I'm talking about actual EVIDENCE which would prove the existance of ghosts, as opposed to non-supernatural explanations of the things which get attributed to "ghosts."
Even if you believe in ghosts, what proof do you have that they are the result of the things observed in this particular case?
Posted by Cranky Media Guy on Fri Oct 20, 2006 at 01:04 AM
"I believe in ghosts so i think it has something to do with the bridge and the house being haunted!"
What reason do you have to believe in ghosts? I'm talking about actual EVIDENCE which would prove the existance of ghosts, as opposed to non-supernatural explanations of the things which get attributed to "ghosts."
Even if you believe in ghosts, what proof do you have that they are the result of the things observed in this particular case?
What reason do you have to believe in ghosts? I'm talking about actual EVIDENCE which would prove the existance of ghosts, as opposed to non-supernatural explanations of the things which get attributed to "ghosts."
Cranky Media Guy
If science can prove everything, then how can bee's fly. My dog died 7 years ago, but doors still open by themselves and so does the fride and you hear her go down the stairs at night! Every person in my family has heard her. and if you call her the door opens by itself!
Posted by Shadow on Fri Oct 20, 2006 at 07:11 AM
Cranky Media Guy
If science can prove everything, then how can bee's fly. My dog died 7 years ago, but doors still open by themselves and so does the fride and you hear her go down the stairs at night! Every person in my family has heard her. and if you call her the door opens by itself!
Posted by Charybdis on Fri Oct 20, 2006 at 08:30 AM
Who said i was saying sorry! jeez look beyond the box. go towards the light it may be a train! sciebtifical bee's cant fly, so why does everything have to come down to science! why not believe in the unexplainable!
Posted by Shadow on Fri Oct 20, 2006 at 08:34 AM
Let me get this straight - you used Bees flying to help prove your case, yet when I show that you were wrong in your assumption about bees you argue that it doesn't make any difference?
So, it's only acceptable if it supports your point of view and dismissable if it doesn't? Sounds like somebody has their blinders on too tight.
Posted by Charybdis on Fri Oct 20, 2006 at 08:46 AM
So, it's only acceptable if it supports your point of view and dismissable if it doesn't? Sounds like somebody has their blinders on too tight.
But why dont u believe in the unexplainable?
Posted by Shadow on Fri Oct 20, 2006 at 08:47 AM
I'm afraid I don't quite understand what you mean. I believe some things are unexplainable, at least by our current standards. I'm a little vague as to why this would lead to a belief in ghosts.
Posted by Charybdis on Fri Oct 20, 2006 at 09:43 AM
Shadow said:
"My dog died 7 years ago, but doors still open by themselves and so does the fride and you hear her go down the stairs at night! Every person in my family has heard her. and if you call her the door opens by itself!"
Shadow, let's assume for a moment that the things you describe actually happen. How do you know that they are connected to the death of your dog?
Many, many things have happened since your dog died, right? How do you know that the strange things you experience aren't connected to one of them, rather than the dog's death?
What you are doing is connecting things that aren't really connected. Your dog's death was a traumatic event for your family. Because it was significant for you, you are arbitrarily connecting it to other things you see happening. While that may be emotionally satisfying, there really is no logical reason to do it.
Doors open by themselves in many homes where there hasn't been an unfortunate death. There are perfectly rational reasons for that, like bent hinges and off-kilter floors.
You believe in a connection between your dog's death and the things you see in your home because you WANT to, not because there is a real connection between them.
Posted by Cranky Media Guy on Fri Oct 20, 2006 at 02:38 PM
"My dog died 7 years ago, but doors still open by themselves and so does the fride and you hear her go down the stairs at night! Every person in my family has heard her. and if you call her the door opens by itself!"
Shadow, let's assume for a moment that the things you describe actually happen. How do you know that they are connected to the death of your dog?
Many, many things have happened since your dog died, right? How do you know that the strange things you experience aren't connected to one of them, rather than the dog's death?
What you are doing is connecting things that aren't really connected. Your dog's death was a traumatic event for your family. Because it was significant for you, you are arbitrarily connecting it to other things you see happening. While that may be emotionally satisfying, there really is no logical reason to do it.
Doors open by themselves in many homes where there hasn't been an unfortunate death. There are perfectly rational reasons for that, like bent hinges and off-kilter floors.
You believe in a connection between your dog's death and the things you see in your home because you WANT to, not because there is a real connection between them.
losing my dog was very upsetting i had her all my life and she saved my life once but all the things that happened, like doors opening ect. only happened after her death. You can always tell when she is there next to you because there is a very cold air where she is. This even happenes on very hot days, there is no drafts going through the house. my other dogs (her puppies) bark at things that arnt there. they just look at the stairs when no body is on them and bark. They always do this every note at 1 in the morning, explain that!
Posted by shadow on Thu Oct 26, 2006 at 04:49 AM
Shadow, I'm not trying to pick on you, but what you said in your last post essentially proves what I said previously: you see a connection between your dog's death and the events at your home because you WANT to, not because they are necessarily connected.
As for asking me to explain why these things are happening, that isn't possible, because I haven't witnessed them personally. That, of course, in no way proves that they are connected to your dog's death.
Doors open by themselves in many older homes. Many houses also have drafts. Neither of those things are particular unusual. The vast majority of those homes haven't experienced a death in the recent past.
You're making a classic mistake by assuming that Event A must have caused Event B because A proceeded B. There's no logical reason to assume cause and effect here.
Posted by Cranky Media Guy on Thu Oct 26, 2006 at 07:25 AM
As for asking me to explain why these things are happening, that isn't possible, because I haven't witnessed them personally. That, of course, in no way proves that they are connected to your dog's death.
Doors open by themselves in many older homes. Many houses also have drafts. Neither of those things are particular unusual. The vast majority of those homes haven't experienced a death in the recent past.
You're making a classic mistake by assuming that Event A must have caused Event B because A proceeded B. There's no logical reason to assume cause and effect here.
i give up. u believe what you want to believe and i believe what i want to believe!
all my luv
Shadow Holton
Posted by shadow on Thu Oct 26, 2006 at 07:29 AM
all my luv
Shadow Holton
You seem angry, Shadow. Why? I'm just trying to demonstrate that what you assume may not be true. Just because something SEEMS inexplicable does not mean that it IS inexplicable. After all, when you watch a magician's act, you may not be able to figure out how he does his tricks, but you know they ARE tricks, not anything supernatural.
I've had pets die, too, so I know the pain that accompanies that. There just is no reason to assume that the death of a loved one causes supernatural things to happen around us.
Posted by Cranky Media Guy on Thu Oct 26, 2006 at 07:36 AM
I've had pets die, too, so I know the pain that accompanies that. There just is no reason to assume that the death of a loved one causes supernatural things to happen around us.
im not angry i just give up. I believe in the unbelieveable but thats me. lol,
luv
shadow
Posted by Shadow on Thu Oct 26, 2006 at 01:51 PM
luv
shadow
I read an article yesterday in my collection of Illustrated London News Feb 1st - page 67
Country News from Holmfirth, Yorkshire
A Singular case of suicide by a dog The article went on to describe how the dog drowned itself in the river It didn't jump off a bridge but repeatedly kept putting itself back in the river until it expired.
Posted by John Weedy on Mon Nov 20, 2006 at 03:13 AM
Country News from Holmfirth, Yorkshire
A Singular case of suicide by a dog The article went on to describe how the dog drowned itself in the river It didn't jump off a bridge but repeatedly kept putting itself back in the river until it expired.
Ive never heard that, you learn someting new everyday.
I got bored with dogs killing themselves, i got onto jack the ripper now! Lol
luv.
Posted by shadow on Mon Nov 20, 2006 at 10:27 AM
I got bored with dogs killing themselves, i got onto jack the ripper now! Lol
luv.
Tonight my oldest shih tsu of two died. She was 13yrs old. She had been gradually deterating. We had decided this morning that we would go ahead and take her to be put to sleep , but we had alot of things to do snf thought well we will would just wait till morning and really feel like she was suffering any. My husband went to bed about 9:00 p.m. I ran up to the store to get her some pedialite and some potted meat, thinking it might help her and she wouldn't be so uncomfortible, till in the morning . I left and went to the store, and when I got back, she was dead. I just hate it that she died by herslf. My husband said to leave her where she lay till morning. Its been real hard on me tonight without that. I am very sad. Thank- You Teresa
Posted by Teresa on Wed Apr 25, 2007 at 04:24 AM
I am very sorry for your loss. The same thing happened to my old dog. She lived up till she was 17 but slowly started to go down hill. And by the end it seemed wrong to keep her when she was in pain. So me and my dad went with dolly to the vets and she was put down. It was upsetting but i know she is there and it comforts me. Even my 2 other dogs know shes there.
Posted by Shadow on Wed Apr 25, 2007 at 04:43 AM
{stupid336x280}
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