Bay Harbor Islands doctor accused of fatally beating dog kills himself

A South Florida doctor arrested and accused of torturing a dog to death last week committed suicide on Thursday, a day after being released from jail, Miami-Dade police said.
Isaias Lerner, 65, a cardiologist had been charged with one count of animal cruelty with intent to kill. He had bonded out of jail on Wednesday, miamiherald reports.
Thursday afternoon, Bay Harbor Islands police responded to a call of shooting at Lerner’s home. Arriving officers found Lerner dead inside the home. Police have ruled his death a suicide.
Last week, police were called to Lerner’s home on East Broadview Drive in Bay Harbor Islands. 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 Lerner stabbed the dog in the head around its ear and throat area with a screw driver.
The dog then slumped to the ground and died.
During questioning, Lerner reportedly admitted that he struck the dog a number of times on the head with a hammer. Lerner was arrested. He had been released Wednesday after posting $5,000 bond.