A "GOOD samaritan" who answered a police appeal after puppies were stolen from a pet shop has been given a caution by officers.

The 25-year-old, of Cambridge Road, Hanwell, who police refused to name, got in touch after BBC London followed-up a story in the Ealing Times last week reporting that nine puppies had been stolen from Silvester's Premier Puppies Pet shop in Greenford Avenue, on Monday, August 28.

But despite the selfless act of voluntarily contacting police with concerns she may have bought one of the stolen dogs, she was cautioned for handling stolen goods - even though another caller who had also bought a puppy had no action taken against her.

The woman (who a police source said was "furious"), was given an adult caution on Friday, September 8, as she was a dog owner and "would have known" the Staffordshire bull terrier would not have been worth the £40 she paid for it in Elthorne Park.

Officers said she admitted buying the puppy with the "knowledge that it may have been stolen".

Police spokesman Chris Mullally said: "She is a Staffordshire bull terrier owner and would know and would know the true value of a pedigree puppy. She was aware of the breed of the dog and how much it would cost."

The second woman who also contacted police after buying one of the missing puppies for £50 had no action taken against her as officers said she purchased the dog "unknowingly".

The puppies, which are red/white and tan, have now been returned to the pet shop.

But five dogs from the litter still remain missing following the burglary.

On September 2, Jason Kelly, 35, of Grosvenor Road, Hanwell, admitted at Ealing Magistrates' Court non-residential burglary and the theft of three Staffordshire bull terrier puppies, but denied taking the other six or any of the electronic do equipment also removed from the shop.

He was remanded in custody to re-appear on September 26.

Both women who bought the dogs said they got them from a black man in Hanwell, whom officers are now trying to trace.

Police said he was selling the puppies out of a sports bag and may have been an accomplice in the burglary.

Anyone with any information about the location of the remaining puppies, the electronic dog equipment, or aquarium equipment should contact Ealing Borough Police on 020 8810 1212 quoting crime reference 2528254/06 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.