A Dubbo man has been sentenced to an 18-month Community Correction Order and 300 hours of community service for animal cruelty following his appearance in a video showing a distressed emu being plucked.

Key points: Schultz was filmed finding an emu trapped in a fence and then dragging, riding, and plucking it

Schultz was filmed finding an emu trapped in a fence and then dragging, riding, and plucking it The now-20-year-old avoided jail time, but is subject to supervision and is to abstain from both alcohol and drugs

The now-20-year-old avoided jail time, but is subject to supervision and is to abstain from both alcohol and drugs Magistrate Wilson took into account Schultz's plea of guilty and lack of a criminal record

Jye Leslie Schultz was 19-years-old at the time the video went viral on social media, depicting him finding an emu trapped in a fence and then dragging, riding, and plucking it.

Two bystanders — one filming the incident — can be heard laughing in the background as Schultz proceeds to pull handfuls of feathers from the emu.

The video was widely distributed on social media following its publication in June.

Police later arrested and charged Schultz with recklessly beating an animal to cause prolonged suffering.

The bystanders were not charged.

The man was 19-years-old at the time when he was depicted in a video plucking a distressed emu alive. ( Supplied: NSW Police Media )

Media outlets at the time claimed the video was filmed in Walgett, but NSW Police investigations found the incident likely occurred in Quambone, near Warren in north-west NSW.

The now-20-year-old avoided jail time, but is subject to supervision and is to abstain from both alcohol and drugs.

'He's certainly copped it'

The video, which went viral on Snapchat and Facebook, was replayed in the Dubbo Local Court today.

Schultz lost a bid for a non-publication order on his name in July, with the Magistrate at the time ruling it in the public interest to report all details.

Schultz entered a plea of guilty to the animal cruelty charge in September.

Appearing before the court today, his lawyer described the event as an "isolated incident" and their client had expressed "genuine remorse" for his actions.

The defence submitted that their client's "youthful stupidity" could somewhat serve as an explanation for his behaviour, but was by no means an excuse.

Magistrate Gary Wilson said the accused "certainly copped it" from the public following the widespread outrage on social media following the incident.

During sentencing, Magistrate Wilson took into account Schultz's plea of guilty and lack of a criminal record.

"The whole thing is extremely disturbing," Magistrate Wilson said.

"There is some hope that this sort of thing won't happen again."

The court heard police confirm the emu died following the incident.