TRENDING
September 17, 2025
Residents of the quiet lakeside town of Hallstatt were unsettled this week after a local man loudly proclaimed that he was a time traveler from the year 2087 and warned that dogs will “inherit the Earth and govern humanity.”
The man, identified by authorities as 41-year-old Markus Leitner, reportedly disrupted the town square on Tuesday afternoon, addressing tourists and shopkeepers with an improvised speech about the future. According to witnesses, Leitner approached pedestrians directly, pointing to their pets and declaring them “future leaders of the nation.”
“He stopped in front of a couple walking a dachshund and shouted, ‘This one will be your mayor by 2087,’” said local shop owner Katharina Eder. “People laughed at first, but then he kept going, louder and louder, until children started crying.”
Police were eventually called to disperse the crowd after Leitner refused to leave the square. Officers described him as agitated but not violent. He was escorted to a nearby clinic for evaluation.
Leitner, who suffered a head injury in a skiing accident several years ago, has become a familiar figure in Hallstatt, occasionally making eccentric claims about “visions of the future.” His latest appearance, however, drew unusual attention because of the scale of his performance and the number of tourists present.
In statements overheard by bystanders, Leitner described a detailed narrative in which dogs slowly gained legal rights before establishing a “canine democracy” by the late 21st century. “By 2087, Labradors are judges, shepherds are presidents, and humans live as second-class citizens,” he told onlookers. “You must prepare to sit, stay, and obey.”
Local authorities have not filed charges, but they have issued a public reminder that disturbing public order can result in fines. Meanwhile, footage of the incident posted online has attracted thousands of views, with many commenters mocking the “prophecy of the dogs,” while others expressed concern for Leitner’s health.
Psychologists contacted by regional media noted that traumatic brain injuries can sometimes lead to unusual behaviors or elaborate delusional narratives. Still, the sheer detail of Leitner’s story has left some residents shaken.
“He looked right into my eyes,” said Eder. “And he told me my schnauzer would one day own property. For a moment, I almost believed him.”