I heard something fall, and I thought it was in the garage. I grabbed a light, and decided to check out the basement first.
I opened the door... "HEY, HONEY? WE GOT A WEASEL!"
There was a stoat in full ermine coat, who had been raiding my mousetraps. I know full size weasels are a danger to cats, but this little guy was maybe 8" long, body-wise. Since they're hell on mice and voles, the buffet is wide open for him, no charge.
Fearless little critter, too. I was on the top step, and he was playing peekaboo up and down the stairs, coming as close as the step below mine.