On September 10, an alarming incident unfolded at a Montana animal shelter when methamphetamine smoke filled the facility, sending staff and animals alike to the hospital. This unsettling event occurred due to a malfunction in the onsite incinerator, which is sometimes used by law enforcement agencies like the FBI to dispose of drugs. Executive Director Triniti Halverson reported that the incinerator experienced a pressure issue, resulting in a cloud of meth pouring into the building.
Halverson described the chaotic scene, stating, “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.” Thirteen staff members, along with Halverson, were exposed to the toxic smoke for about an hour. Many began feeling ill, suffering symptoms such as headaches, sore throats, dizziness, and coughing. In response to the escalating health concerns, Halverson directed her team to seek emergency treatment.
The severity of the situation was underscored by the fact that police had disposed of two pounds of meth just before the incident occurred. Historical reports indicate that this wasn’t an isolated event; the incinerator had malfunctioned previously, emitting smoke into the shelter on multiple occasions throughout 2023. It wasn’t until 2024 that the City of Billings addressed the equipment’s reliability and finally repaired the machine. Halverson expressed her shock about the nature of the materials being disposed of, emphasizing, “I can firmly and confidently say that, as the Executive Director, I did not know that they were disposing of extremely dangerous narcotics onsite.”
The implications of this incident are vast. The shelter has been closed pending decontamination, a process that may take several weeks to complete. In the meantime, 75 animals—cats and dogs—were either relocated or placed in foster homes to ensure their safety. Community members, like resident Jay Ettlemen, voiced their frustration regarding the incident. Ettlemen questioned the wisdom of incinerating drugs within city limits, stating, “Why the hell are they destroying drugs inside the city limits? There are so many other places in the middle of nowhere.”
Billings Assistant City Administrator Kevin Iffland defended the incinerator’s long-standing reliability, noting that it has functioned effectively for decades. Despite his reassurances, the incident raises serious concerns about safety protocols and the lack of transparency regarding the disposal of dangerous substances. As law enforcement continues its fight against the burgeoning meth problem in the region—evidenced by nearly 100 pounds of meth and over 45,000 fentanyl pills seized in 2024—this incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking in community spaces.
The Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter’s unfortunate experience highlights crucial issues around safety and transparency in handling hazardous materials, especially in environments expected to safeguard vulnerable animals. The shelter’s path forward will hinge not only on the remediation of the facility but also on the reflection and reevaluation of protocols to prevent such incidents in the future.
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