Sculpture lame elephant holding a cane in manner of Red Grooms

This whimsical sculpture of a lame Elephant in red, white and blue colors is signed and dated 3/84. We cannot make out the signature but it looked like Red Grooms. We had the gallery who represents him contact him and this is not his work, however they even admitted it is in his style. It is Papier Mache over some heavy metal like iron. Perhaps some one will recognize the artist, as the signature is clearly pictured.
Good age appropriate wear with a crack to one tusk, pictured.

1983 c.H: 31.5"W: 30"D: 23"Reference number: 10355