KIANTONE, N.Y. -- A Chautauqua County man has been charged with harassment for repeatedly firing an unloaded Civil War cannon at the homes of his neighbors, His lawyer said Friday his client disputes the charges.

Attorney Parker MacKay said that his client Brian Malta is an upstanding citizen and that the truth of the matter will come out in court.

The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office arrested 52-year-old Malta Wednesday. It said he fired the cannon at neighboring homes in the rural town of Kiantone on the Pennsylvania border 60 miles south of Buffalo.

The cannon was fired with only a powder charge and wadding, deputies said. Police confiscated the cannon.

Officials said Malta had an ongoing dispute with his neighbors, but no details were released.

Malta was released from the county jail after posting $2,500 bail.