Ocean county sheriff's department gets new bomb sniffing k-9

TOMS RIVER, NJ – It’s not the 60,000 square feet of new office space Ocean County Sheriff Mastronardy is clamoring for, but this week, the Sheriff’s Department received a new bomb-sniffing dog as a gift from the Remembering Brian Kanterman, Inc. non-profit group.

This week, their new dog, Drago, was at the Ocean County Administration building with his handler, Sheriff’s Officer Christine Casullo.

“The 14-month-old Shepard K9 from Hungary, named Drago, is the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office newest bomb/explosive detection dog. As the center of attention during his introduction, Drago was introduced to Ocean County Commissioners, staff and officers,” the county officials said in a statement.

Drago came to the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office earlier this year, but a ceremonial acceptance was held at last week’s board meeting. Drago replaces Office Casullo’s last K-9, Bear, who died suddenly.

Remembering Brian Kanterman Inc.’s mission honors those who serve and protect by working to purchase police dogs for agencies that recently lost a dog in the line of duty and awarding “go bags” to first responders. The nonprofit program was established in memory of Brian Kanterman who died in the line of duty in 2018.

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According to the county, the organization also assists in providing service dogs to veterans, partners with local animal shelters to provide emotional support animals to veterans and first responders, pays the costs to train individuals who wish to be a police officer, firefighter or EMT, offers scholarships to individuals who want to go into criminal justice, law enforcement or legal fields, and assists veterans and first responders struggling with addiction get support.

“Brian always set a great example of service even outside of his chosen career,” Kanterman said of his son who died in the line of duty on Dec. 25, 2018 at the age of 25. “He was the guy who could be found helping elderly folks load groceries into the car, holding the hand of an unsteady person crossing a busy street, buying a cup of coffee for someone in military uniform (and thanking them) and volunteering at animal shelters.”

While Brian could not fulfill his dream of becoming a K9 officer, the Remembering Brian Kanterman Inc. was created in his memory to provide assistance to law enforcement and emergency response agencies.

The Ocean County Sheriff’s Office has six full-time sworn K9 handlers and two part time sworn K9 handlers. The department currently has 13 dogs on staff.

Drago, who is named after Ivan Drago from the Rocky movies, is currently taking part in the New Jersey State Police’s 14-week program to become a bomb/explosive detection dog.

Officer Casullo has been a K9 handler with the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office for 11 years. In addition to Drago, who is her third bomb dog, Casullo also has K9 Fiona, who is her second bloodhound, Ocean County Commissioner Joe Vicari noted.

For more information on Remembering Brian Kanterman, Inc., visit www.rememberingbriank.com.

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