Shoppers at a discount supermarket in southern Germany received an unexpected dose of farmyard reality this week when dozens of sheep staged a dramatic and messy invasion of the store.
Woolly Shoppers Cause Supermarket Chaos
The unusual incident unfolded on Monday in the Bavarian branch of the budget chain Penny. Approximately 50 sheep, having broken free from a nearby field containing a larger flock of 500 animals, managed to force their way through the supermarket's doors.
Once inside, the animals congregated near the checkout area, seemingly in no rush to leave. For around 20 minutes, they milled about, bewildering customers and staff alike. Attempts to shoo them out by banging on counters proved futile, as the sheep appeared determined to browse the aisles at their own leisurely pace.
Local broadcaster ZDF reported the creatures "caused utter chaos", with video footage capturing the sound of falling bottles and groceries strewn across the floor. Some startled shoppers were forced to clamber onto conveyor belts and checkout counters to avoid the mischievous mammals.
A Trail of Manure and Mayhem
The sheep's departure was as chaotic as their arrival. When they finally decided to exit, the flock scampered at speed towards the doors. However, their visit left a very clear, and pungent, calling card: a trail of manure throughout the aisles.
According to their embarrassed shepherd, the animals may have been motivated by hunger, potentially mistaking a shopping bag for a feed bag and heading towards the store in search of a snack.
From Fugitives to Social Media Stars
Far from facing punishment, the sheep have become unlikely celebrities and have even secured a tangible reward. In a light-hearted response to the global publicity generated by the viral video, the sheep have been given a year's supply of free food by the supermarket.
The incident captured the imagination of social media, with even the German embassy in London joining in. They posted a picture of the flock on X, formerly Twitter, with a pun-filled caption: '50 runaway sheep ram-paged through a German supermarket in rural Baa-varia, causing shear mania on Monday morning.'
The episode serves as a memorable reminder that even the most routine shopping trip can be interrupted by the most unexpected of visitors.
