Handle in beastly fashion (3)

I believe the answer is:

paw

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'handle' is the definition.
(paw can mean to touch or handle)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for paw that I've seen before include "Mammal's foot" , "Animal foot or hill-billy dad" , "Hand; foot" , "Foot of clawed animal" , "Eg, a dog's foot" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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