Cologne said they received the goat in 1950, on the second anniversary of the club's founding on February 13, 1948. It was named Hennes in reference to their then player and coach Hennes Weisweiler.

But in 2015, Cologne striker Anthony Ujah grabbed the then Hennes VIII by the horns and pulled the goat towards him during a goal celebraton. The outrage was huge and Ujah apologized publicly.

German soccer clubs Eintracht Frankfurt and Cologne have been urged by animal charities to drop their live eagle and goat mascots from matches.