In New York City, spotting a rat isn’t usually something to get excited about. But when an image of the all-too-familiar rodent appeared in mid-March, sprayed in the clock face of a building on 14th Street and 6th Avenue, people took notice. The stencil heralded the return of the anonymous street artist known as Banksy to the streets of Manhattan.

But just days later, the pest was gone—removed not by animal control, but by the developer who owned the building ahead of its slated demolition. Now, there is speculation that the owner, Gemini Rosemont, may sell the Banksy rat, though the company said it is still evaluating its options. Many, including New York State senator Brad Hoylman, have asked them to display the piece in public (the developer preserved a 1954 mural by Julien Binford that was inside the same building).

“I hope the developer will take advantage of their good fortune and keep it public,” Holyman said.

While known for mocking the powerful as they strive to become objects of mass appeal, many of Banksy’s illicit street artworks ultimately belong to private landlords, not the public. After a late-night visit from the anonymous artist, property owners often wake up to find they’ve won the Banksy lottery: He has “vandalized” one of their buildings by gifting it a work by a world-famous artist. And then it is up to them to decide the work’s fate.