An emotional video has emerged of a rescue dog whining and expressing intense sadness while watching an animal cruelty advert.

The footage, captured at a home in Missouri, USA, shows 'Happy' crying and becoming agitated while an ASPCA advert plays out.

The commercial features a slideshow of abused animals alongside sad sounding music.

"I adopted my rescue dog, Happy, from C.A.R.E animal shelter in Springfield, Missouri about 9 years ago (he is 10 years old now)," Happy's owner wrote online.

Describing Happy's reaction to the video, she then revealed that it wasn't the first time Happy has reacted this way.

"I'm not sure if the commercial played often at the shelter he was at or if he truly just has an emotional connection to the song or animals on the screen. I guess that would be a question only he would know the answer to," she added.