- Austin Subaru allegedly took a dog from a laid-off employee who had cared for him for three years.
- Social media users claim the dealer is deleting comments as criticism spreads online.
- The store is owned by a group led by Bryan Hardeman, who faces multiple felony arson charges.
Car dealers often get a bad reputation. Sometimes, it’s because of markups. Sometimes it’s because of shady fees. And sometimes it’s because they take a dog away from its caretaker when they lay them off.
Austin Subaru, a dealership in Texas that proudly aligns itself with the automaker’s “Love” campaign, is now facing backlash for allegedly doing just that. According to multiple reports, the company removed Rally, its living mascot, from the home of a former employee who had lived with and cared for the dog for three years.
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Posts circulating on Reddit and Instagram claim Rally was originally “purchased” by Austin Subaru as a marketing mascot when he was just 12 weeks old. Over the past three years, the pup became a familiar face at dealership events, community gatherings, and local Subaru-sponsored functions across Austin.
From Mascot to Marketing Property
Despite the dealership’s public portrayal of Rally as a cherished team member, insiders allege that he was treated more like company property than a living creature with real emotional bonds.
Austin Subaru removes dog from loving home of three years
byu/yaupon insubaru
The controversy began after the dealership reportedly laid off Rally’s primary caretaker, an employee who had lived with and cared for the dog since he arrived at the store. Shortly after that, the dog was allegedly removed from the man’s home and kept by the dealership.
A post from Rally’s friends and caretakers paints a devastating picture. “Rally was taken from him like a work laptop or set of keys. Rally is a living and breathing creature who is emotionally bonded to his human. Rally cannot comprehend that a car dealership entity is his ‘real dad.’ This is the absolute worst example of capitalism.”
The same posts goes on to call on the dealership and Subaru corporate to do the right thing and reunite Rally with his caretaker. “Austin Subaru, you’ve done quite a bit of good work in pursuit of supporting dogs. Sponsor some dogs through Austin Pets Alive as rotating mascots instead of traumatizing Rally,” it adds.
Damage Control in Real Time
In response to the growing criticism, Austin Subaru appears to be actively deleting comments and negative reviews from social media and Google, further fueling public outrage.
In a post to their Instagram account, they write:
“At Austin Subaru, the well-being and happiness of our team members and our beloved dog, Rally, are of the utmost importance. While we cannot comment on the details surrounding any individual’s employment, we want to assure our community that Rally remains deeply loved and well cared for by our employees and ownership team.
Rally is a cherished part of our dealership family, and his safety, stability, and daily care have always been and will continue to be our top priority. We understand that emotions can run high, but please know that there are always multiple perspectives, and every decision we make is guided by what we believe is best for Rally and our greater Subaru family.
We sincerely appreciate the care and concern so many have shown for Rally. He means the world to all of us. AUSTIN SUBARU”
The statement hasn’t gone over as well as the dealership might have hoped. Posts across Reddit and Instagram have attracted widespread attention from animal lovers, Subaru owners, and local Austinites, many of whom are calling for a boycott.
One user with alleged insider knowledge claims, “I checked the employees socials, it’s not just they went around doing marketing photos. The employee has a reel of them picking up Rally from the vet after recovering from pneumonia. It wasn’t just a professional relationship. This is clearly their pet.”
Under Fire – Literally
Austin Subaru is part of Continental Auto Group, a well-known Texas network founded by Bryan Hardeman. Hardeman made headlines last year after being arrested two separate times on felony arson charges. Authorities accused the then-75-year-old of setting multiple fires across Austin, including at properties he was allegedly interested in buying.
Court records indicate that Hardeman, now 76, was indicted on multiple counts of felony arson and burglary and remains under investigation. The Austin Business Journal reports that no trial date has been set, though pre-trial proceedings are ongoing.
It’s hard to ignore the irony here. The same dealership group whose founder is accused of setting literal fires is now battling an ethical one of its own making. This time, it’s all playing out in the public eye and maybe that’s a good thing.
Subaru’s “Love” Campaign Faces An Uncomfortable Test
Subaru of America has built its brand identity around compassion. “Love. It’s what makes a Subaru, a Subaru.” The company donates millions annually to shelters and animal rescue organizations and frequently touts its commitment to “Subaru Loves Pets.”
But for many Subaru fans, this situation seems to stand in stark contrast to those ideals. Taking a dog from a longtime caretaker, simply because that caretaker no longer draws a paycheck, hardly reflects the message of love and loyalty Subaru promotes.
As one commenter put it on Reddit, “Subaru says it loves dogs. Maybe they should prove it by giving Rally back to the person who loved him most.”
Carscoops has reached out to Austin Subaru, Subaru of America, and the individuals connected to Rally’s care for comment. As of this writing, none have responded.
If these allegations prove accurate, this isn’t just a case of bad optics; it’s a betrayal of trust that cuts at the heart of Subaru’s brand ethos. Rally isn’t just a marketing mascot. He’s a living, feeling animal who deserves to go home. And that home isn’t Austin Subaru.
Credit: Austin Subaru
