Workers taken to hospital after FBI uses furnace to burn seized meth

September 13, 2025

An FBI operation to destroy seized methamphetamine at the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter in Billings, Montana went wrong when smoke from the incinerator filled the building instead of being properly vented. Fourteen staff members required hospitalization for smoke exposure, while approximately 75 cats and dogs were evacuated from the facility. Executive Director Triniti Halverson stated she was unaware that dangerous narcotics were being disposed of at the shelter, confirming that both staff and animals were exposed to methamphetamine.

Who is affected

Fourteen staff members of the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter
Approximately 75 cats and dogs at the shelter
Four litters of kittens who received significant smoke exposure
Shelter volunteers and fosters
The overall operations of the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter

What action is being taken

A restoration team is decontaminating the building
The animals are being given veterinary care and placed in temporary housing
The most exposed animals are under supervision
The shelter is requesting public donations for supplies like dog and cat food, blankets, and bottles

Why it matters

Staff members and animals were exposed to dangerous methamphetamine smoke, requiring emergency medical care
The shelter operations have been completely disrupted, with staff and animals described as "displaced, lost, and homeless"
The incident reveals a lack of communication between law enforcement and the shelter about the use of their facilities
The decontamination process will take between two weeks to a month, significantly impacting animal care services

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC