Alleged dog-killing doc dies of apparent suicide

Dr. Isaias Lerner is seen in this undated picture from the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department. / WFOR-TV/Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation

(CBS News) BAY HARBOR ISLANDS, Fla. - A South Florida doctor accused of torturing a dog tied to a tree before eventually killing it was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound Thursday, CBS Miami station WFOR-TV reports.

Dr. Isaias Lerner, a cardiologist, was found dead by a family member inside his Bay Harbor Islands home, police say.

Lerner was arrested and charged Tuesday with one count of animal cruelty with intent to kill.

That same day, police were called to Lerner's home. According to the arrest report, one witness told the officer that they saw Lerner hitting a dog tied to a tree over the head with a hammer.

A second witness told police that at one point Lerner stabbed the dog in the head around its ear and throat area with a screwdriver. The doctor allegedly moved the screwdriver around in a grinding manner as the dog yelped in pain and a substance dripped from its head.

The dog then slumped to the ground and died.

On Thursday, one of Lerner's friends visited the crime scene.

"I know that something was wrong, but this is not him. He loved his dogs, he's a tremendous doctor, he's my personal doctor besides being my friend, and we called each other brothers," Dr. Jean-Jacques Edderai said.

During questioning, Lerner reportedly admitted that he struck the dog a number of times on the head with a hammer. He said the dog "wobbled for a while then passed away," according to the report.

Lerner was arrested and posted a $5,000 bond.

[CuriousServant]

How is it that people can be so happy over the death of a person, yet so outraged over the death of an animal? On a similar note, I don't understand why so many who are strongly opposed to abortion are strongly for the death penalty. Confusing.

[sickofbull]

Good. One less psychopath is always a good thing. Buh bye, Doc.

[lelectra1]

Well perhaps he had an organic brain disorder. Regardless, one less sadistic monster hurting innocent creatures.

[KillTheDogsDotCom]

Should the doctor have used a screwdriver? No, that's cruel. He should have just beheaded it quickly. Maybe he belongs to the Church of Antimuttology? They believe that all dogs are pure evil and that all dogs deserve to die.
$5000 for a filthy dog? Dogs are worth more dead than alive it seems! Kill The Dogs!

[KillTheDogsDotCom]

Remember that this HUMAN being was never convicted of any crime and now he never will be.

[julieveggie]

These stories always breaks my heart. I'm always touched by the public outcry for justice. But Americans need to realize that this type of abuse & cruelty happens to 10 billion animals a year in the USA to the animals we eat. Does your Soul approve of this? http://www.meatvideo.com/

[blueblueiis]

Why didn't the witnesses intervene to stop him? Pointless to call authorities who would get there too late to save the dog. If I had been there I would have become a maniac to save that dog.

[lelectra1]

Unfortunately people like you with a heart and some courage are a rare kind of person it seems. Despicable.

[Meezermom1951]

You and me both.....this guy did us all a favor by committing suicide. At the very least, he paid for the evil he did. That poor dog did not deserve the torture he got at the hand he loved and I don't care at all about what kind of a "good" doctor he was or how much he supposedly loved his dogs!

[blueblueiis]

Glad that piece of garbage did himself in. That innocent, vulnerable dog never deserved that.

[LUVALLANIMALS]

I was xtremely Happy to read the miami herald this morning. To read that the sick monster killed himself was satisfying. What kind of person,let alone a DOCTOR was he! Did other drs,family not see he was not acting normal. WE ALL NEED TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO ALL WE CARE ABOUT.

[harveyg0301]

I agree with the outrage on the cruelty of this doctor. But, yet we have a football player playing in the NFL who did things to animals that were just as bad. Let's be fair here.

[ksmit2]

This doctor was obviously an evil being, his picture alone is the
mask of a disturbed, twisted creep. I can't comprehend someone wanting this guy to be their doctor, just that look. As far as our
NFL player, if was a crime not to permanently ban this disgusting
jerk from athletics. His actions were a laundry list of torture
and abuse and death to dogs that you would probably be unable to
read or see photos of. Yes, we can have forgiveness, but the penalty must still be paid.

[okbluzman]

Good riddance. Poor dog.