Rutland — A Killington, Vt., man who faced a manslaughter charge after his escaped bull caused a fatal crash on Route 4 has reached a plea deal that will allow him to avoid jail.

Craig Mosher, 63, pleaded guilty on Wednesday in Rutland Superior Court to a reduced misdemeanor offense of reckless endangerment in the death of Jon Bellis, 62, of Woodbridge, Conn.

Mosher, the owner of an excavation company, was then sentenced as part of the plea agreement to six to 12 months in jail, all suspended. He was placed on probation for two years, fined $500 and ordered to perform 50 hours of community service.

“Hopefully,” Judge Cortland Corsones said in sentencing Mosher, “the publicity that this case has garnered will result in others taking the necessary steps to prevent the next tragedy from occurring.”

The judge, from the bench, also spoke directly to Bellis’ widow, Kathryn Barry Bellis, who was seated behind the prosecutors.

“Let me apologize on behalf of all Vermonters over what some misguided persons may have stated on social media,” the judge told her. “That does not in any way reflect the feelings of Vermonters over the tragedy that you have suffered. We are all extremely sorry for your loss.”

The case set off heated debate, online and in the letters to the editor of newspapers across Vermont and beyond, over the duty of care and responsibilities of animal owners, and the possible criminal consequences.

“The fact of the matter is there’s never been a criminal charge brought against an animal owner for an accident like this,” Rutland County Farm Bureau President Ray Duquette Sr. said outside the courtroom after the hearing. “This is a first, and it has national implications.”

At Mosher’s arraignment on the involuntary manslaughter charge more than a year ago, his supporters and outraged farmers packed the courtroom, referring to the incident leading to the charge as a matter best left to the civil courts.

Wednesday’s proceeding was a much more toned down affair, with the courtroom only about half full.

Mosher spoke briefly in court.

“My deepest condolences and prayers go out to the Bellis family for this tragic accident,” he said in a soft voice. “It’s broken my heart, and I live it every day.”

Jon Bellis died when the vehicle he was driving west on Route 4 on the night of July 31, 2015, struck Mosher’s bull in the roadway. The vehicle careened down a hill and into a tree. Kathryn Barry Bellis, a passenger, injured her wrist in the crash.

The bull, a 1,800-pound Scottish Highlander, was killed.

Rutland County State’s Attorney Rose Kennedy said after the hearing on Wednesday that most people are responsible in caring and protecting the public from their animals. However, she talked of the “multiple” times that Mosher had been made aware that his bulls were getting loose from his property that abuts Route 4 in Killington.

In a case involving such a pattern of behavior, Kennedy said, a criminal charge is warranted. “My belief is that it was the right move in this case, and I stand by my decision,” she said.

Police said they had been called to Mosher’s property several times in the weeks leading up to the crash for reports of a loose bull, including the night of the fatal crash.

Mosher later told police he tried to find the bull on the night of the fatal crash but couldn’t.