Facebook prank says Steven Spielberg killed dinosaur

Steven Spielberg poses with a 'dead' Triceratops.

Steven Spielberg has found himself at the centre of a Facebook prank after one user shared a snap of the director sitting next to a 'dead' dinosaur on the set of Jurassic Park.

Jay Branscomb jokingly shamed Spielberg for hunting down the animal.

Last week Branscomb uploaded the image of the filmmaker with a mechanical Triceratops, taken on the set of the 1993 blockbuster.

He sarcastically wrote in the caption: "Disgraceful photo of recreational hunter happily posing next to a Triceratops he just slaughtered. Please share so the world can name and shame this despicable man."

The snapshot was re-posted more than 33,000 times, and attracted some harsh criticism for Spielberg for apparently killing an innocent animal, despite the fact dinosaurs became extinct 66 million years ago.

Some of the comments were clearly made in jest, including one which read: "I did not know that Steven Spielberg is a dinosaur hunter. I am not only outraged, but disgusted!!"

But others seemed to be legitimately furious at the director.

One misinformed user raged: "He's a disgusting inhumane p****. I'd love to see these hunters be stopped. I think zoos are the best way to keep these innocent animals safe ... A******* like this piece of s*** are going into these beautiful animals' homes ... and killing them.

"It's no different to someone coming into your home and murdering you... I'm not watching any of your movies again Animal Killer."

Spielberg is yet to comment on the controversy.

- AAP