STUYVESANT FALLS - The cows have come home, but a calf is still on the loose.

Ed Keil, owner of Keil's Pools in Suyvesant Falls, 22 miles south of Albany, has been missing three life-size plastic cows - two adults and a calf - since they were stolen around the July Fourth holiday. A former dairy farmer, Keil likes cows, and his black and white replicas have become a landmark in the area since he put them outside his pool business three years ago, he said.

One adult was returned earlier this month, and the other came home Wednesday.

“It feels good now. Somebody tried to outsmart us, but eventually we got it back,” Keil said, referring to the cow he loaded in his truck and drove home Wednesday evening.

State police found it July 7 in Jenkins Park in Burnt Hills, 18 miles northwest of Albany.

Trooper Chris Lubrant, at the Charlton state police substation, said it was the strangest piece of stolen property he's heard of in his area.

“Not too often do you get a full replica of a cow dropped off in your patrol area,” Lubrant said.

Keil knew it was his cow when he learned that it had a broken horn. He still had the piece that was broken off during a previous theft.

“If the horn fits, it's the right cow,” Keil said.

Troopers were thrilled to return the 120-pound cow to its rightful owner, and a few took the opportunity to have their photo taken with it before it was returned home.

“It feels great. It's too bad that we didn't catch the people that did it, but I'm glad that he got it back,” Lubrant said.