Mascot 'Briciola' welcomes new president

(See related) (ANSA) - Rome, February 3 - He came, he saw, he scratched behind his ear. 'Briciola', the canine mascot of the mounted Carabinieri police, brought some moments of lightness Tuesday to the pomp of the formal, red-carpet ceremony welcoming Italy's newly elected President Sergio Mattarella to his Quirinale palace. The small rescue dog, wearing a vest bearing a symbol of the mounted police, kept a close eye on the honour guard during the ceremony. He was adopted eight months ago by the mounted corp to replace the previous mascot, Lady.