The RSPCA is appealing for public assistance to identify the source of a shocking video that shows a man gleefully running down a mob of emus with his vehicle.

The video appeared on social media on Wednesday evening and has since been widely shared by horrified users.

Likely filmed from a smartphone on the steering wheel, it appears to show the man speeding towards the emus on a dirt road. He's heard saying "f---ing emus" before the animals appear on the screen.

Up to 13 emus can be seen being mown down by the car as they run for their lives. Facebook

When they do, up to 13 emus can then be seen being mown down by the car as they run for their lives. The man, heard laughing throughout the clip and counting the emus as they go under his car, then flips the camera to selfie mode for a final hurrah.

The RSPCA is hoping the public will be able to help identify the man and bring him to justice.

"Our inspectors are currently examining the footage to try and determine when and where it was filmed. The video also shows the man’s face, and the RSPCA are asking for help to identify him," a spokeswoman for the organisation said in a statement.

Such cruelty has no place in Australian society, she added.

"The RSPCA unequivocally condemns this type of behaviour, as it clearly shows a disregard for the lives of these vulnerable native animals, and raises grave concerns about this individual’s capacity for such behaviour."

Animal protection legislation that would cover this type of crime is state-based, but a spokeswoman for NSW Police said there is little state police can do to investigate it without knowing the location and jurisdiction in which it occurred.

The video appears to show a P-plate on the windscreen, which may rule out certain states. The plate is a white P on a red background, which would suggest the driver is from Victoria, WA, NT or ACT.

In NSW and Queensland, P-plates have a coloured P on a white background.

Anyone with knowledge of the source of this video is urged to contact their local RSPCA or police immediately.