Fourteen staff members at the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter in Billings, Montana, were hospitalized after an incident involving the FBI’s use of an incinerator to burn two pounds of confiscated methamphetamine. The staff, alongside approximately 75 cats and dogs, had to evacuate the shelter on Wednesday when smoke filled the building.
The incinerator is typically used by animal control for the disposal of euthanized animals but is also authorized for law enforcement to incinerate seized drugs. Due to a negative pressure issue, smoke migrated into the building, leading shelter personnel to evacuate the animals and themselves. While evacuating, several staff members donned masks and some were exposed to the smoke for over an hour, resulting in symptoms of smoke inhalation. All 14 staff received treatment in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber for about three hours.
Both the FBI and local authorities confirmed the procedure of burning narcotics is standard practice, although shelter executive director Triniti Halverson stated she was unaware of the drug disposal occurring on-site. She expressed concern after realizing her team and animals had been exposed to the meth.
The affected animals were relocated and are being monitored, particularly four litters of kittens that were in close proximity to the smoke. A restoration team has started the decontamination process of the shelter, which will take several weeks. Halverson has publicly requested donations for supplies to support the displaced staff and animals due to the incident.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly7wzp23lpo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss