Wal-Mart employee fired after confronting owner of dog locked in vehicle

A fired Wal-Mart employee just wanted someone to be concerned for the canines.

Carla Cheney says she was terminated from her job at a Wal-Mart in Kemptville, Ont., south of Ottawa, after confronting a customer who left his dog sealed in his vehicle while he shopped.

“I said he should not be leaving his dog in the car. The man said it was none of my business," she told the Ottawa Citizen.

The newspaper reports it wasn't the first time Cheney expressed concern for a dog. She had previously asked a manager what to do about a trapped dog and was told to mind her own business.

Considering southern Ontario is on a bit of a hot streak with its weather, compounded by the fears that come with leaving dogs and children alone in overheated vehicles, Cheney's concerns seem to be well grounded.

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Only a few weeks ago, a two-year-old boy died after being left alone in a car (a young Edmonton girl died under similar conditions days later).

And every year, scores of dogs and other pets suffer heatstroke after being left alone as their owners run errands.

The Ontario Humane Society says it has already received more than 80 calls this year regarding dogs in distress. Two people in Ottawa were charged in May with failing to provide quality care after their dogs were found near death inside locked cars.

PETA, admittedly not known for its subtlety, calls parked cars "deathtraps for dogs" because they are unable to keep themselves cool.

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Cheney appears to be the second Kemptville Wal-Mart employee to be disciplined after defending trapped dogs. Sean Dhaliwal says he spoke to a frequent customer about leaving his dog alone in the car and days later was let go.

Wal-Mart Canada has been contacted for comment regarding Cheney’s termination. A company spokesperson told the Citizen that employees are expected to treat customers with respect.

It's just a shame dogs don't have credit cards. Perhaps then there would be more concern when they keeled over in the parking lot.

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