Mauled by three furious rottweilers while jogging. Horror this morning in Manziana, near Rome, where the 39-year-old Paolo Pasqualini was found lifeless in the city forest. The alarm was raised around 8.30am. By the time the rescuers arrived, there was nothing more to be done for the runner. The man, dressed in running gear, was lying on the ground. Deep wounds caused by dog bites were on his body and face.

The 39-year-old, who worked in a supermarket in Rome but had decided to start studying motor sciences, had tried in vain to defend himself as evidenced by the numerous wounds on his arms. As soon as what had happened was suspected, the hunt for the rottweilers began. After killing the man, they were loose in the green area usually frequented by both athletes and families with children, especially on holidays. The Manziana police and the forest rangers, park guards, and veterinarians were involved in the search. All access points were immediately closed and the forest was thoroughly searched. After a couple of hours, the three rottweilers were captured and sedated. According to what was reconstructed by the police investigating the incident, they escaped from a house not far from where the 39-year-old was attacked to death.

The owners were also tracked down, shocked by what happened. It remains to be clarified how they managed to leave the house where, this morning, it seems there was only the wife who did not notice the dogs' escape. The exact dynamics and any responsibilities are to be established, the couple could face a charge of negligent custody or manslaughter. In the next few days, a first report will be sent to the Prosecutor's Office. The investigators are currently interviewing several witnesses who were in the park at the time. In particular, a breeder, who was in the area with livestock, heard cries for help and intervened. He tried to drive away those rottweilers first by shouting and then with a stick, risking being attacked himself. He was fortunately able to take refuge in a vehicle from where he called for help.

There was also a woman in the forest who would have witnessed the scene from afar and a man walking his dog. "We heard screaming and calls for help," they told rescuers. Among the first to arrive at the scene of the tragedy was the mayor of Manziana, Alessio Telloni. "A deep tragedy strikes our town - the Municipality wrote on its Facebook profile - The Administration joins in the dismay for what happened, together with all the citizens." Shock in the town near the capital where many knew the 39-year-old, an employee of a commercial activity in the area, who usually went jogging in that forest a few hundred meters from home. "We are speechless, it is a huge tragedy" reads one of the many posts on social media by residents of Manziana. And someone points out: "There should be a license for dogs."