Flock of 50 Sheep Wanders into German Supermarket

A fascinating incident unfolded in Burgsinn, a quaint town in southern Germany, when a flock of approximately 50 sheep wandered into a Penny supermarket. This surprising event took place on a Monday, capturing the attention of customers and social media alike.

Sheep’s Brief Adventure in the Supermarket

The sheep meandered through the supermarket aisles and checkout area for about 20 minutes. It remains unclear how they strayed away from their usual flock and ventured inside the store.

Initial Reactions

Store manager Jürgen Kippes initially thought he was the target of a prank. He recounted to Augsburger Allgemeine that the experience was unprecedented. “I thought we were on ‘Candid Camera,’” he remarked, highlighting the unexpected nature of the visit.

Challenges in Escorting the Sheep Out

During their brief stay, the sheep caused a bit of a mess. Kippes expressed concerns about the situation escalating. He said, “If they had run to the right toward the fruit and vegetables — God forbid — you wouldn’t have been able to get them out.”

Efforts to guide the flock outside were initially unsuccessful. Kippes explained, “We tried to push them out, but it didn’t work.” Eventually, a loud sound from the cash register startled the sheep, prompting them to exit through the sliding door into the parking lot.

The Shepherd’s Insights

The shepherd responsible for the flock provided some context regarding the incident. Speaking to Bavarian radio, he theorized that the sheep were distracted by acorns on the ground. This distraction likely led to them losing track of the rest of the flock.

• The shepherd suggested that someone entered the store with a bag, attracting the sheep’s attention.
• He speculated that the animals might have mistaken the bag for feed.

Store’s Response

Following the incident, Penny supermarkets took steps to clean the store and did not seek compensation from the shepherd. In a gesture of goodwill, they expressed the desire to sponsor the flock of sheep for one year.

This unexpected visit from a flock of sheep highlights the charm of rural life and the ability of such unusual occurrences to create memorable experiences for communities.