The animals stayed in the checkout area for around 20 minutes before the PENNY employees led them safely out of the store. Fortunately, no one was harmed and the store was cleaned the same day. The flock of sheep has already attracted a great deal of media attention and millions of enthusiastic people speak for themselves.

PENNY reacted quickly and decided that the shepherd would not have to pay for the damage caused or for the cleaning costs. On the contrary: PENNY not only sponsors the more than 50 sheep, but also extends its commitment to the entire flock of around 700 sheep after a discussion with the shepherd's wife. The animals receive all their winter feed from PENNY.

from left to right: Philipp Stiehler, Regional Manager Southwest, Dieter Michler, shepherd, Christiane Geiger, shepherdess, and Jürgen Kippes, Store Manager PENNY Schafsinn.

The symbolic handover of the feed took place on Thursday, 15 January 2026, in front of the PENNY store in Burgsinn by Philipp Stiehler, Chairman of the Management of the PENNY Southwest Region. "I am delighted that we at PENNY are so interesting for animals and that the more than 50 sheep spontaneously decided to visit our store. However, to ensure that not only the curious sheep benefit from the sponsorship, we will pay for the winter feed for the entire flock. The woolly four-legged friends eat several tonnes of food while they are in the barn," said Philipp Stiehler at the symbolic handover of the donation in front of the PENNY supermarket.

PENNY has also renamed the store so that everyone in Burgsinn will remember the amusing incident. Instead of PENNY Burgsinn, it is now called PENNY Schafsinn. What's more, a corresponding banner above the entrance, sheep wrapping on the entrance door, a not entirely serious appeal for help and a planned bronze-look sheep make the store unique and a real neighbourhood sheep store.

Shepherd Dieter Michler adds: "I would never have thought that my sheep would one day become media stars and make such headlines - and certainly not like this. The fact that PENNY is not only covering the damage but also providing the winter feed is a huge help for us. We are very grateful for that. Really määhga." He also hopes that more attention will be paid to transhumant shepherds in the UN Year of the Shepherd. "We take on important tasks in ecological landscape conservation with our animals. It's much more than just folklore and the romance of shepherd's carts."