Venezuelans suffering from hunger and shortages in their struggling country broke into Caracas zoo and pulled a black stallion from its pen, butchering it for the meat.

The crime occurred late last month, in the small hours of the morning at Caracas’ Caricuao Zoo.

A gang of people sneaked into the state-run park under the cover of darkness and seized the horse - the only one of its kind in the zoo.

The animal was then led to a secluded area and butchered on the spot.

Zookeepers arriving for duty the next morning, on July 25, found only its head and ribs left behind in a pile.