PINELLAS PARK — A man arguing with his wife and threatening to shoot a family dog early Tuesday accidentally shot himself in the face and died, Pinellas Park police said.

Paramedics tried to treat Dennis Eugene Emery, 57, but he was declared dead at the scene.

Authorities said Emery was arguing with his wife, Francisca, in their home at 5271 87th Ave. N about 6 a.m. Emery was upset because he could not find his lighter, police said.

He picked up a revolver and threatened to shoot the dog, pulling back the hammer on the gun to emphasize his threat, police said. Later, as he tried to release the hammer, the gun fired while Emery had it pointed at his face.

Emery has had 34 contacts with Pinellas Park police since 2012, the department said. He recently was arrested three times in six days: Oct. 12 for domestic battery; Oct. 15 on charges of aggravated assault and resisting arrest; and Oct. 17 on a charge of leaving the scene of a crash. Those cases were pending at the time of his death.

State records show Emery was convicted of drunken driving in 1977; carrying a concealed weapon in 1978; and disorderly conduct and public intoxication in 1983. He was charged with domestic violence in 2013, but the case was dropped, according to records.

Times news researcher Carolyn Edds contributed to this report.