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A gang in search of food broke into a zoo at night and butchered a horse for food, it has been reported.

The shocking incident in Caraca has been held up as an example of the desperation of the Venezuelan people who are enduring a severe economic crisis ..

With looting and food shortages commonplace, it's been reported that several people forced their way into Caricuao Zoo in search of food.

When they found the black stallion's area, they broke in and led the animal, to a secluded area, reports Fusion .

Prosecutors have revealed the incident, which happened on July 24, saw the thoroughbred butchered for its meat, leaving only its head and ribs for zookeepers to find.

According to the journalist Roman Camacho , the horse was alone when he was approached by people who broke through the fence.

The same zoo lost several Vietnamese pigs and sheep earlier in the summer under similar circumstances.

Marlene Sifontes, union leader at the government agency that runs the zoo INPARQUES, said the situation was "very sad" as the animals lack food themselves.

A tapir reportedly died in the zoo from starvation just weeks before the horse was slain.

“We have animals that have not eaten for up to 15 days, which affects their health,” he told Reuters.

“They don’t even have flashlights,” she told a local news site .

“When workers hear something at night, they head into the dark at their own risk.”

The Venezuelan National Guard have recently made arrests in the Zulia region following the butchery and sale of three horses according to Camacho.

(Image: Reuters)

The situation isn't getting any better for people, who are forced to join long lines at supermarkets in the hope they can get something to feed themselves and their families.

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Venezuela's socialist rulers are being blamed for the worsening food shortages, with their strict price controls and foreign exchange controls making food imports and production unprofitable.

The horse's killing is being investigated by proscutors.

