Crossword Genius

Treated mania left in brutal person (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

animal

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'brutal person' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how they can define each other.

'treated mania left' is the wordplay.
'treated' indicates an anagram.
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'mania' with letters rearranged gives 'anima'.
'anima'+'l'='ANIMAL'

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for animal that I've seen before include "Man or beast" , "Possibly bear" , "Brutal, sensual" , "Source of meat" , "Brutish sort" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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