The section of the pavement was removed earlier this week after Chicago officials determined it was was damaged and needed to be replaced.

The rat imprint has been a quirk of a residential area in Chicago’s North Side neighbourhood of Roscoe Village for years, but it found fresh fame in January after a Chicago comedian shared a photo on X, AP News reports.

Residents soon became aggravated however when visitors arrived at all hours to see the ‘rat hole’ sometimes leaving coins and other items scattered on the pavement.

There was also debate amongst residents as to whether the imprint was caused by a rat or a squirrel.