BUFFALO, N.Y. — The missing buffalo statue has been found, safe and sound and in one piece.

Lovejoy District Council member Richard Fontana had been trying to locate the whereabouts of the animal that stood in front of KB Holdings on Greene and William streets.

Word began circulating Thursday morning the buffalo was 1,500 feet away at Crown Collision, another business on William Street.

The owner of the autoshop talked exclusively to Spectrum and said he paid nothing for the statue and got it from the owner of KB Holdings, Rob Klaczyk.

'We bought the table and the sign from him, he told us you are welcome to the buffalo," said Bob D. Jayes, Sr.

Klaczyk says he was closing his Buffalo business and simply gave the buffalo away to Jayes to be refurbished.

Klaczyk has a new business in Lancaster. He said he experienced a great deal of vandalism and theft at his old shop.

He also mentioned that the buffalo statue had been a liability when it was placed in front of his business.

According to him, his business was once held liable after someone climbed up on the statue, fell and injured themselves.

"There's been messages left on my home and my cell phone, there were 'eye witnesses' saying I was stealing and I do not have it in Lancaster,” said Klaczyk.

Klaczyk says he initially thought the statue was stolen, not realizing it was picked up by Crown Collision as part of their deal several weeks ago.

"Rich Fontana told me it was missing, I had not been there in about four or five days, that's when I realized the buffalo was gone," Rob Klaczyk.

City Councilmember Richard Fontana says a Buffalo Police Detective has now been assigned to investigate.

All of the buffalo statues throughout the City of Good Neighbors belong to the city and were placed around town as part of an art project.

It’s not yet known what charges if any will be filed.