Funny you should mention polecats Richard it reminded me of something which happened to me many moons ago. One night when I was on duty as a cop driving my 'jam sandwich' outside Machynlleth a polecat ran (or bounded) in front of me in the middle of the road so I stopped the car and left the lights on full beam and ran after it. I thought because it was wearing a 'mask' it may have been burgling! Or should I say I smelt a rat (or a polecat!) OK I'm being daft again! Anyway I wanted to see how this little 'mustelid' would react to being chased by the law and do you know what he did? He stopped dead turned about and faced up to me baring its teeth, hissing and making rather frightening noises for such a tiny beast! In fact it actually came towards me so I took my hat off to fend him off! No wonder polecats have got a fierce reputation. I should have arrested the little blighter for threatening a police officer! This is a true story folks.
On another night I was in the 'panda' and came across a cat in the road which appeared quite dead so I went up to it with the intention of putting it on the verge whereupon it sank its teeth into my gloved finger inflicting a rather painful bite. Needless to say the air was blue with language unbecoming of a police officer!
On the matter of 'animal' stories if you want to hear about the one and only 'Ram' raid I ever dealt with then ask me when you next see me.