NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. -- A mascot that's on a mission to promote recycling in Niagara Falls has taken social media by storm.
Totes McGoats is his name and recycling is his game. The overnight sensation spent Thursday afternoon doing what he does best.
"Some people are a little afraid of it, some people are laughing with us. It's been really amazing to see peoples reaction from here to Italy to California," said Brook D'Angelo, Niagara Falls S.W.E.E.T. program coordinator.
Totes McGoats was introduced as the new mascot for the Niagara Falls Solid Waste Education and Enforcement Team Wednesday morning, and took social media by storm. Less than 24 hours after being unveiled he even gained national attention, featured on the Huffington Post and TIME websites.
"You know at first funniest thing I've ever seen, but anything that brings attention to Niagara Falls is surely not going to hurt us," said Patrick Baird of Niagara Falls.
Though this animal mascot is aimed at promoting recycling for kids, some people say McGoats is scary looking.
"I've seen children cry over Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, clowns, I don't think this is much different and he has a really positive message as well. You know we really aren't aiming at the three or four-year-olds for the education, we're aiming for the middle schoolers, the high schoolers, and beyond," said D'Angelo.
"Well with Halloween coming it's kind of suiting that they introduced it now," said Baird.
All jokes aside, the billy goat means business. He's on a mission to spread an important message. City officials say all of the humor and the hype only makes his purpose stronger.
"The purpose is to educate the public more about recycling and the responsibility of environmental stewardship," said Donna Owens, Niagara Falls city administrator.
City leaders say this is still just the beginning for Totes McGoats. A promotional video is in the works, and that will be released within the next few weeks. Totes McGoats will also eventually visit local schools.