Bike stolen from animal activist on cross-country trip returned

SAN DIEGO (FOX 11) - An animal activist traveling cross-country has been reunited with his bike after it was stolen in San Diego, FOX 5 reported on Saturday.

Two years ago, Mike Minnick and his 5-year-old rescue dog, Bixby, got on a bike and decided to travel across the country to help raise awareness about the importance of pet adoption and supporting local animal shelters.

But after pedaling 9,000 miles and through 31 states, their trip was cut short when the bike was stolen in Mission Beach.

"I came out of where we were being hosted about 4 o'clock in the morning to let this little monster out," Minnick told FOX 5. "And when I did, I noticed right in front of the garage, where my bike was, there was this old beater kind of beach cruiser that was just sitting there on its kickstand with giant bolt cutters hanging out of the front basket…my worst fear came true. My bicycle was gone."

The hard-to-miss Yuba Mundo bike carries more than 150 pounds of gear and an attached dog crate advertises their website wheresbixby.com.

Along the route, Minnick and pup Bixby stay with hosts who support their cause and follow them on social media.

After the bike was stolen, a GoFundMe page was set up to "help Bixby get back on the road."

According to FOX 5, the bike was found and returned to Minnick Saturday by San Diego Harbor Police.

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