Summary:
Staff at the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter in Montana were hospitalized after inhaling methamphetamine smoke caused by a malfunctioning incinerator used by law enforcement to dispose of drugs. The incident occurred on September 10, exposing 13 staff members and numerous animals to hazardous fumes. Shelter director Triniti Halverson coordinated the evacuation of animals and ensured medical attention for affected personnel. This highlights significant safety and operational concerns regarding the co-location of animal care facilities and drug disposal operations.
What This Means for You:
- Health and Safety Awareness: Ensure workplace safety protocols are robust and up-to-date, especially in multi-use facilities.
- Operational Transparency: Verify the activities and risks associated with shared facilities to prevent unexpected hazards.
- Crisis Preparedness: Develop and practice emergency response plans for chemical exposure incidents.
- Future Outlook: Advocate for stricter regulations on drug disposal procedures to minimize public health risks.
Original Post:
Staff members at a Montana animal shelter were rushed to the hospital after the pet center filled with meth smoke. Both workers and animals inhaled methamphetamine after the onsite incinerator, sometimes used by police and FBI, malfunctioned on Sept. 10, according to a statement from Triniti Halverson, the executive director at the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter.
The City of Billings Animal Control Operations, which operates the animal crematorium, occupies the same building as the pet shelter.
But sometimes Billings police and the FBI use the incinerator to dispose of drugs, according to the Billings Gazette.
On that particular day, however, the incinerator had malfunctioned because of a pressure issue.
As a cloud of meth filled the building, Halverson sprang into action.
“When the smoke started pouring out of one of our feline isolation rooms, I instructed staff to put on COVID masks and begin evacuating the animals,” Halverson said in her statement. “13 staff members and I were exposed to the smoke for approximately an hour, and several began feeling ill. At this time, I instructed the team to go to the emergency room for treatment.”
Halverson said she and her team experienced headaches, sore throats, dizziness, sweating, and coughing, according to the Associated Press.
Police were disposing of 2 pounds of meth when the incident happened.
A cloud of smoke from two pounds of methamphetamine seized by the FBI and incinerated inside a Montana animal shelter sent its workers to the hospital, city officials in Billings said. https://t.co/p7HORpJz6y
— 13 Action News (@13abc) September 14, 2025
But this wasn’t the first time the incinerator had malfunctioned. It spewed smoke into the animal shelter on several occasions in 2023. It wasn’t until 2024 that the City of Billings repaired the machine, Halverson said.
And while staff members knew that police sometimes used it to dispose of “evidence,” they were shocked to learn about the meth.
“I can firmly and confidently say that, as the Executive Director, I did not know that they were disposing of extremely dangerous narcotics onsite,” Halverson said.
In the meantime, the shelter will remain closed until decontaminated of meth, which could take two weeks to a month, she said.
As for the displaced animals, 75 cats and dogs were either relocated or put into foster homes, according to the Associated Press.
Billings resident Jay Ettlemen was upset about the incident.
“Why the hell are they destroying drugs inside the city limits?” Ettlemen said, according to the Associated Press. “There’s so many other places in the middle of nowhere.”
Billings Assistant City Administrator Kevin Iffland said the incinerator has been used reliably for decades.
In 2024, law enforcement seized nearly 100 pounds of meth and more than 45,000 fentanyl pills, the Billings Gazette reported.
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Extra Information:
NIH Guidelines on Methamphetamine Exposure – Learn about health risks and safety measures related to methamphetamine exposure. OSHA Chemical Emergency Guide – Essential workplace protocols for handling chemical emergencies.
People Also Ask About:
- What are the health risks of methamphetamine exposure? Exposure can cause respiratory issues, neurological damage, and cardiovascular problems.
- How can workplaces prevent chemical exposure incidents? Implement strict safety protocols, regular equipment maintenance, and employee training.
- What are the legal implications of improper drug disposal? It can lead to environmental hazards, public health risks, and potential lawsuits.
- How long does methamphetamine decontamination take? Decontamination can take weeks, depending on the extent of exposure and facility size.
Expert Opinion:
This incident underscores the critical need for clear separation of public service operations and hazardous material disposal. Experts emphasize that co-locating such activities without stringent safety measures can jeopardize both human and animal welfare, necessitating policy reforms to mitigate future risks.
Key Terms:
- Methamphetamine exposure risks
- Animal shelter safety protocols
- Chemical emergency response
- Drug disposal regulations
- Workplace hazard prevention
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