A man has been sentenced to 42 days in jail for mowing down a mob of emus near Ouyen in September last year.

Key points: MacDonald pleaded guilty to three charges of animal cruelty and two driving charges

MacDonald pleaded guilty to three charges of animal cruelty and two driving charges The magistrate said it looked like he had taken pleasure in inflicting pain on the animals

The magistrate said it looked like he had taken pleasure in inflicting pain on the animals MacDonald was released on bail and lodged an immediate appeal

Jacob Scott MacDonald, 21, pleaded guilty in the Mildura Magistrates Court to three charges relating to animal cruelty and destruction of protected wildlife.

He also pleaded guilty to two driving charges after filming himself running over the animals at Cowangie, near the South Australian border.

Sixteen animals were killed in the incident on Pellaring Road.

The court was shown a video taken by the accused which sparked a national manhunt after it was posted online.

Jacob MacDonald immediately appealed his 42 day sentence. ( Facebook )

Mr MacDonald's defence told the court the act was out of character for the agricultural contractor and that he had just been through a relationship break-up and was having trouble finding work due to the drought.

While Magistrate Michael King accepted MacDonald's remorse, he described the offending as "disgraceful, appalling behaviour" and said he appeared to have taken pleasure in inflicting pain on helpless creatures.

MacDonald was sentenced to 42 days in custody and fined $800.

He lodged an appeal and will be released on bail until its hearing at a later date.