An image of filmmaker Steven Spielberg sitting besides a Triceratops dinosaur that was posted on Facebook as a joke has left many users furious as they thought he has actually hunted a dinosaur!

The image, posted by Facebook user Jay Branscomb as a joke, shows the director on the set of 1993-hit "Jurassic Park" with a mechanical dinosaur.

The caption reads: "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."

This has led to a barrage of comments from over 33,000 Facebook users so far - apparently unaware that dinosaurs no longer exist - criticising Spielberg for the cruelty, media reports said.

Some branded Spielberg an "animal killer" and decided not to watch his movies again!

"I did not know that Steven Spielberg is a dinosaur hunter. I am not only outraged, but disgusted!!" posted Andrea O'Donnell Koran.

"This is no sport!!" added Omega McCracken.

"Seriously, those poor Triceratops. If we do not stop this, they are gonna become extinct," one user posted.