K9 Casto – New Jersey State Police

Died – 12/18/19
Handler – Sgt. Michael Leip

NJ State Police Mourning K-9 Named For Howell Trooper Castellano

A New Jersey State Police K-9 who was named for Trooper Marc Castellano of Howell Township has died, the department announced Thursday. K-9 Casto, who was partnered with Sgt. Michael Leip, died Wednesday night after a mass ruptured in the dog’s stomach, state police said. Leip, who received Casto in 2010, named the dog to honor Castellano, who was killed in the line of duty in June 2010. “Since 2010, Casto was a patrol/narcotics K-9 responsible for narcotics sniffs resulting in millions of dollars in narcotics and cash seizures,” state police said. “He also worked with the NJSP and local agencies tracking numerous suspects and civilians.” Casto assisted in hundreds of fugitive investigations as well as assisted members with executing search warrants. Leip and Casto also helped de-escalated many high-risk encounters, resulting in peaceful surrenders by suspects. “Casto was a tremendous asset to the division and to the citizens of New Jersey. He served with honor and bravery. But most importantly, he was a loyal partner and loving friend to Sgt. Leip. He will be sorely missed,” ,” state police wrote on the department’s Facebook page. “We know he made Trooper Marc Castellano proud. Now they are together.” Castellano was part of a large group of law enforcement conducting a search in the area following a chase on the Garden State Parkway on June 6, 2010, when he was hit by a vehicle while he was on the shoulder of Route 195. He died later of his injuries. His mother, Donna Setaro, has spent the years since his death giving presentations on New Jersey’s Move Over law, which requires drivers to slow down and move over when they approach an area where law enforcement or emergency personnel are operating. “If I get through to just one person and save one life, then this campaign was worth it,” Setaro has said.

Submitted By Jim Cortina

James A. Cortina has been involved with police dogs since 1972 and currently on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Jim has been appointed as Treasurer since its inception in 1991. Jim is one of the charter members of the C.P.W.D.A. organization. Since 1975 he has been a certified professional dog trainer and received his Master Trainer Certification in 1985. During his career he has provided armed K-9 strike crowd control for security agencies in Connecticut and out of state security companies. In conjunction with other members of the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Board of Directors, he helped to draft Connecticut Statute 53-247(e) "Intentional Injury or Killing of Police K-9" which was passed by the Senate in 1993 and also assisted in implementing the prestigious Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 Award in 1992. In 1993 he helped coordinate the North American Police Work Dog Association Nationals in New London, Connecticut. He was appointed Training Director for the New London County Work Dog Association from 1985-1987. He performed decoy work for Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. in police K-9 demonstrations, trained several local police department canines, and coordinated training workshops for out-of-state police departments. He participated in the United States Police K-9 Association Trials in Croton on Hudson, New York in 1985 as a decoy. He is an avid photographer and received photography awards in 1989, 1990, and 1991 and currently takes photographs for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc.