Doctor Fatally Hit Dog With Hammer: Cops

A South Florida doctor faces a charge of animal cruelty with intent to kill after he repeatedly hit a dog with a hammer on the head and impaled its ear and throat area with a screwdriver, authorities said. Isaias Lerner, 66, an internist from Bay Harbor Islands, was arrested on Tuesday afternoon when two witnesses told authorities they saw him hit a brown and white dog, who was tied to a tree, with the hammer, authorities said. He was released from jail on $5,000 bond on Wednesday. Allan Sjoberg, assistant chief of Bay Harbor Islands Police, said the event was caused by animal problems and a high degree of frustration.