Missouri’s beloved panhandling dog killed by car. Adoring fans want ‘justice for Ike’
A four-legged celebrity that made Ironton, Missouri, a tourist destination has passed away.
Ike, a beloved creature of many names — including the “Crossroads Dog,” the “Mayor of Ironton” and “the 3-way dog” — has died after being hit by a car, his owner said.
The hound dog was a permanent fixture in the city of Ironton, a town about 90 miles south of St. Louis, where he would patrol the crossroads of Highway 21 at a 3-way intersection, walking in the road, simply begging for snacks.
Fans of Ike told KFVS he often enjoyed top-notch meals of cheeseburgers, chicken breasts and biscuits and gravy.
But he wouldn’t chow down on just anything; hot dogs were a noted no-no for the particular pup.
Thus the fandom around the panhandling hound was born. He was loved in the city for so many years he was also deemed the “ghost dog,” according to Facebook group ”Fans of Crossroads Dog,” which boasts over 5,000 members.
It is there where hundreds of people are mourning the loss of Ike.
Ike’s owner, Sherry Miller, posted to the group Nov. 15 and said Ike had died. In the post she alleged that witnesses saw a truck driver who purposefully “swerved” to hit the beloved dog.
Members of the group began posting dozens of tributes to the hound, with some even making “justice for Ike” merchandise.
Memorials flooded in. One teacher posted that her young students had even conducted a memorial service during their recess time.
Legend has it that Ike had been stationed at the crossroads for eight years, and took over begging duties for his dad, making him a multi-generation panhandler.
“He was a bright light, you know? People loved seeing him,” Miller told Fox2Now. “Kids would want to come by just so they could see him and throw treats out for him. So, why would anybody want to hurt him?”
Bob Lourwood, Ironton’s mayor, told KFVS the city will need time to heal from the tragedy.
“Now that he’s gone, it’s taken away a subtle landmark, something we’re used to. It was always fun to see him there,” Lourwood said. “It was always so fun to see people who weren’t used to the area stopping and trying to pick him up and get him to come to them with hamburgers and pizza.”
A sign that was stationed near Ike’s stomping grounds warned drivers of his panhandling habits, and urged them to be watchful for Ironton’s iconic friend.
“Don’t let my begging fool you,” the sign, now posted alongside a memorial, read. “I’m loved and have a home. I’m just greeting all my friends wherever they may roam… So happy tails to you, new friend. If I won’t move, just drive around. Tell your friends you’ve just seen the famous panhandling hound.”
This story was originally published November 17, 2021 at 9:41 AM with the headline "Missouri’s beloved panhandling dog killed by car. Adoring fans want ‘justice for Ike’."
