Shy men lose their heads over a catlike creature (5)

I believe the answer is:

hyena

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'creature' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hyena that I've seen before include "Carrion-eating mammal" , "Dog-like nocturnal mammal of Africa and southern Asia" , "Carnivorous mammal" , "Nocturnal animal with hysterical laugh" , "African native" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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