CHELSEA — A Strafford man who punched a dog in the face and wielded a gun at people during an argument outside his home last September has pleaded guilty to a single count of criminal threatening while a charge of aggravated cruelty to animals against him was dismissed.

James Savery, 53, was handed down a 12-month deferred sentence on the single misdemeanor charge of criminal threatening in Orange Superior Court on Dec. 27, according to court records. Three other charges of criminal threatening also were dismissed.

Savery, of LeFleur Road in Strafford, was arrested and charged with five misdemeanor counts after he reacted in anger when learning that a relative’s dog had bitten an adult family member, according to police. During a scuffle that followed, Savery is alleged to have punched the dog — a 2-year-old mixed breed named “Bronco” — saying he was going to put it down because it had been biting people. At the same time, Savery brandished a handgun toward others before they subdued him and took away the gun.

Savery was also ordered to undergo a screening for mental health and anger management issues, according to court records.