In Billings, MT, the place meant to be a sanctuary for our beloved pets, the city animal shelter, is being used for something it was never intended for. The Billings Police Department, along with its third-party associates, has been using the shelter's incinerator—designed specifically for deceased pets—as a means to dispose of narcotics. For those of us who genuinely care about animals and their well-being, this is a shocking and troubling revelation. Our animal shelters are places of refuge, care, and respect, not ancillary facilities for drug destruction.

With the increasing number of pets in the community and the emotional attachments we form with them, the use of incinerators in animal shelters should focus solely on providing a respectful farewell to our loyal companions. Utilizing these facilities for narcotics not only sullies the premise on which they were established but can also potentially expose shelter staff and volunteers to harmful substances and residues.

This practice further exacerbates concerns about public health and could raise issues related to air quality from the combustion of drugs, a task better suited to specialized facilities equipped with the technology to handle such processes safely and efficiently.

The call to action is straightforward: Billings authorities must immediately cease the use of animal shelter incinerators for narcotic disposal and shift to appropriate, dedicated facilities for this purpose. By doing so, we honor the purpose of our shelters and ensure the health and respect these spaces and their staff deserve.

I urge everyone in Billings to rally behind this cause, highlighting the need to protect the integrity of our animal care facilities. Please sign this petition to demand that the Billings Police Department and their partners cease this misguided practice. Let's safeguard our animal shelters and ensure that they remain true to their mission of caring for and respectfully handling our cherished pets.