And finally… bear defence

The brown bear, known as M57, attacked off-duty policeman Diego Balasso near Andalo in the province of Trento. He was saved, however, after passers-by scared the animal off.

Animal rights campaigners who brought the case on behalf of M57 have vowed to free other bears held captive for their misdeeds.

They say the beasts only attack humans when defending their young or when they are startled. M57 will be released back into the wild with a radio signal-transmitting collar.

The judgment has raised hopes that M57’s fellow bear inmate at a centre at Casteller in Trento may also be released.

M49, nicknamed Papillon, has escaped the centre twice by climbing the fences. Partial to donkey and sheep meat, he has terrorised farmers.