May 15, 2007 -- Society Member Rianne O'Rourke, 30, was riding through the neighborhood on her silver and candy blue 2001 Trek 8000 WSD -- a gift from her husband Rob -- when she became thirsty. Locking up her bike on the sidewalk, Rianne ran into the Starbucks at 56th & Illinois for some bottled water. She returned moments later to discover the front wheel of her bike had been urinated upon.
"It was disgusting," reported a tearful O'Rourke. "A big hot stinky puddle of dog [urine] all over the front tire. I mean, I just love to ride. I'm very serious about it. From May to mid-October I'm out there on the streets two or three times a week. From Butler all the way to Nora along the Canal path and the Monon, from our place over on Kessler up to the Art Center, over to Bazbeaux on Tuesday nights for our girl's night out -- I am all over the Village on this bike! It's brand new! And some jerk just let's his dog whiz like a leaky firehose all over the place. I just don't get it! Why aren't the police watching for these maniacs?"
Several other reports have been filed reporting this type of vandalism. It is unknown if the markings are the work of a single animal, or a pack of dogs working in conjunction.
"The number of these incidents has been growing in the past few months," says Detective Andy Panozzi of the IMPD. "It's just a sad situation. We tell the girls not to leave their bikes unattended -- you know, have a friend or attractive stranger watch the bike. Or, if they're alone we tell them to lock the wheel to the frame of the bike and then throw the entire bike up onto the hood of any old station wagon or crappy pickup truck parked on the street -- then at least the bike is well out of range of your average mid-sized dog, though still vulnerable to your Great Danes and your Borzois, and the occasional Red Cambodian Climbing Hound you see sometimes here in the Village. If there is still a concern, we suggest just driving or taking a cab to your final destination. It's ugly -- I know, the urination and all .... but this is the kind of stuff that happens in a city the size of Indianapolis. It's a real disgrace, but what're ya gonna do?"
A police report was filed in this case. As of press time, no suspects had been arrested.
*Editor's Note: Ms. O'Rourke is not related to the Society's Executive Director, Abigail Kendrick O'Rourke
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