PETALING JAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - A 15-year-old boy in Malaysia who caused public outrage with his video abusing a puppy was arrested on Tuesday morning and was later released on bail.

According to a Facebook posting by Malaysian Independent Animal Rescue shelter founder Puspa Rani, the case is classified under section 429 of the Penal Code.

The boy will be brought to court in 14 days.

Ms Puspa, who witnessed the arrest, said that she will request for the judge to sentence the boy to community service at the shelter in addition to the RM200 (S$79) fine.

"Arresting him and fining him will not make him a better person or resolve the issue and we want to teach him about life and love," she wrote in her Facebook post on Wednesday.

Superintendent Hamzah Alias, in charge of the Jempul police district, said the investigation is underway, and the case will be evaluated by the deputy public prosecutor.

"Our focus is to correct, and therefore we would perhaps have him under the supervision of a welfare officer.

"He is underage and he will be sitting for his Peperiksaan Menengah Rendah this year, therefore, it would be good if certain quarters allow the law take its course, instead of taking things into their own hand," he said when contacted, referring to the public exam taken by Form Three students in Malaysia.

On Sept 6, a video of the boy battering and abusing a puppy to death went viral on social media, causing many netizens to call for legal action against him.