Elderly Walmart greeter fired after wild turkey runs amok in store
- 7 years ago
WAUKESHA, WISCONSIN — An 88-year-old Walmart greeter was stunned to find himself face-to-face with a wild turkey bent on a shopping spree.
On March 27, Bob Tallinger, a greeter for the past eight years, was welcoming customers when the rogue bird stormed through the sliding stores. Tallinger and others spent time trying to shoo the turkey out, but the bird proved difficult to reason with.
Eventually, as the turkey browsed the patio section, a member of the local Humane Animal Welfare Society was able to lure it into a net. The bird was later released back into the wild, and so too, was poor Bob Tallinger, upon being told he should’ve reported the unwelcome customer to a manager.
Local news media interviewed Bob and his wife after the firing, who said Bob’s job was to greet people, which he was excellent at. The old man was never made aware of staff protocol in the event a wild turkey snuck in.
When reached for comment, Walmart issued a statement saying quote “We appreciate the public's concern and take this situation seriously. While we will not comment on HR matters, we can confirm Mr. Tallinger is no longer with the company.”
On March 27, Bob Tallinger, a greeter for the past eight years, was welcoming customers when the rogue bird stormed through the sliding stores. Tallinger and others spent time trying to shoo the turkey out, but the bird proved difficult to reason with.
Eventually, as the turkey browsed the patio section, a member of the local Humane Animal Welfare Society was able to lure it into a net. The bird was later released back into the wild, and so too, was poor Bob Tallinger, upon being told he should’ve reported the unwelcome customer to a manager.
Local news media interviewed Bob and his wife after the firing, who said Bob’s job was to greet people, which he was excellent at. The old man was never made aware of staff protocol in the event a wild turkey snuck in.
When reached for comment, Walmart issued a statement saying quote “We appreciate the public's concern and take this situation seriously. While we will not comment on HR matters, we can confirm Mr. Tallinger is no longer with the company.”