Deadliest Catch fans pay tribute to Casey’s dog Squirt as cast member ‘handles loss well’

Casey McManus is a former Deadliest Catch star who has left the show. He brought his dog, Squirt, on the Cornelia Marie with him, who passed away before Discovery decided not to renew boat contracts.

Deadliest Catch long-time fans remember when Casey and Josh rode the Cornelia Marie together. They haven’t been brought back to the Discovery Channel show after Casey’s dog, Squirt, passed away.

In honor of National Dog Day, we bring you Captain Casey and his dog Squirt. Lets see your dogs! Post pics in the comments. #nationaldogday #DeadliestCatch #CorneliaMarie

Casey McManus left Deadliest Catch two years ago

Casey McManus, who was co-captain and co-owner of the F/V Cornelia Marie, did not return to Deadliest Catch in 2022. He said Discovery did not renew contracts with the boat, co-star Josh Harris, or him.

He also claimed there was no crab to catch and that all the seasons were shut down in an X post. Captain Casey said it was a “bummer deal,” while calling Deadliest Catch “smoke and mirrors”.

After his business partner Josh Harris was fired after a 1998 sexual assault sentencing, Casey and Cornelia Marie were also ditched by bosses, he revealed in December 2022.

His dog Squirt sadly passed away before his departure

Casey’s dog, Squirt, passed away on Deadliest Catch in 2020. He still owns another dog, Leeroy, but fans are still paying tribute today. A Reddit fan wrote, “It’s hard to see Casey lose his dog like that.”

They added, “He handled it really well, though. I hope he’s doing good whatever he’s doing.” Long-time viewers remember how Casey would always shout, “Squirt out!” to his pup.

Everyone watching the tribute episode on September 9, 2020, were left in tears over Casey’s loss. Squirt featured on the Discovery fishing show for five years of his life, from 2015 onwards.

Former star stays out of limelight

In October 2022, McManus shared on social media that he’d taken a new job running tug boats in Kodiak, Alaska. “​​It’s a new world, but a boat is a boat, and I know boats,” he wrote on Instagram.

When a fan on Facebook asked if he’d ever return to fishing on the Cornelia Marie, he didn’t have any major plans. “Waiting for Crab to bounce back. Might be waiting for awhile….,” he wrote.

The most recent online snaps – that are from 2023 – show father Casey hanging out on boats still, including with his son, but his social media bio states he’s now a “retired captain”.