An Oak Harbor couple deserves an honorary award for retrieving their own stolen pitbull at no cost to the public.

As reported in the April 7 Whidbey News-Times, the couple’s pitbull puppy was stolen from their vehicle when it was parked at Safeway. The owners called the police, but they didn’t leave justice up to the system.

Instead, they papered downtown Oak Harbor with posters announcing a $1,000 reward for return of the puppy. This produced a tip, which led the couple to a trailer court.

Here’s where it got good. The man didn’t wait for the police to arrive. He saw his dog inside a trailer and literally wrestled it away from its custodian, who must have obtained it through nefarious means. After a tussle and loud commotion the couple drove away with their puppy. The deputy’s report of the incident mentions only a lot of shouting.

The couple’s do-it-yourself approach to crime solving was impressive. It did not require a long police investigation or a decision by the prosecutor on whether to file charges. There was no plea bargaining or jury trial, no legal fees or the public expense of incarcerating a dognapper. Instead, the case ended speedily and happily, thanks to the enterprising couple.

This isn’t an endorsement of vigilantism. It’s just refreshing to see a case of speedy justice that ends well. If that doesn’t deserve an award in this day and age, then nothing does.