Andrea Rosebrock 
Looks like the El Paso, TX, soldier, Frank Zimmerman, who brutally stomped on and killed one adopted dog, Tinkerbelle, and beat another, a little puppy, Wrigley, and shattered his leg, is going to get what amounts to little more than a slap on the wrist from the military.
There will be no justice for Tinkerbelle or Wrigley nor will there be any answers about the two dogs he adopted shortly before them who died in Zimmerman and his wife’s care. There will be no just for the another two dogs that were adopted, after the 2 puppies wound up dead, and returned to the rescue. They were actually the lucky ones. When they were returned after two days it was obvious they had been traumatized and abuse but at least they are alive and physically uninjured.
Zimmerman’s crimes brought military animal abuse to light and angered animal advocates and animal lovers everywhere. Signatures were amassed on petitions, asking, begging for justice, pleading that Zimmerman be prosecuted, all to no avail.
His punishment? Reports say that “Frank Zimmerman has lost his rank as well as a good standing within the U.S. Army by receiving an Article 15 for his alleged role in the death of his family’s dog.In a press release sent by the Fort Bliss Public Affairs Office, officials said the military police officer also faces the possibility of a less than honorable discharge.His separation from the Army is expected to be completed in mid-July.”
I want to say “unbelievable” but it really isn’t. The civilian justice system is notorious for slap on the wrist punishment for animal abusers so why should the military be any different? What this waste of human life did, this pattern of abuse toward innocent and defenseless animals shows real problems, cruelty and abuse over and over again.
Comments and accounts from other soldiers and people who are acquainted with Zimmerman, mostly talk about him being a jerk, among other more colorful descriptions. This is not someone who is safe to be around people, a part of society. He needs to be prosecuted, locked up, harshly and severely punished! This is a joke, a travesty of justice. My heart breaks over the innocents that suffered at his cruel hands and anger fills me knowing that he will be out walking while 3 dogs are dead, two are traumatized and one puppy has bad to go through a long healing process.
If we don’t mete out justice here, we can only hope that Karma will rear it’s ugly head and gives him the punishment he truly deserves. May you burn in hell Zimmerman!
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THATS WHY WE NEED SOMETHING LIKE THESE SEX OFFENDERS HAVE TO REGISTER THE SAME SHOULD BE DONE FOR ANYONE WHO ABUSES AN ANIMAL.
i wish they would just send him to iraq for the rest of his life..and hopefully it wouldnt be a long one
You are a traitor and belong in Gitmo
This is another travesty of justice..And so it goes on…Case after case after case..The military have let us down again when it comes to any sort of compassion for animals and their welfare.
This sorry POS needs to be SEVERELY punished for all those poor babies. If not by the law then by some other means perhaps ???
What I envision is that the low lives that abuse pitbulls in the fighting ring would use Zimmerman as bait….Now I think I would pay to see that god help me….
also does anyone know about the “green zone”? where soldiers are ordered to shoot stray dogs? yea gotta love our higher up military huh….0 compassion….they make me sick!!!
what city is this in?? im not sure where fort bliss is?
its in el paso tx on east side of el paso
TWO THINGS. WHEN THIS GUY IS SEPERATED FROM THE ARMY, CAN’T THE CIVILIAN COURTS GET HOLD OF HIM AND CHARGE HIM?
AND THE GREEN ZONE. YES, IN MOST CAMPS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, THE STRAY DOGS ARE ORDERED SHOT. THESE DOGS ARE FERAL AND USUALY SCAVANGE AT THE DUMP SITES. THE MILITARY FEELS THAT THEY ARE A HEALTH HAZARD WHEN THEIR NUMBERS SWELL, WHICH THEY DO. THEIR FECES IS NOT FORMED LIKE OUR DOGS AND OFTEN IS BLOODY FROM WHO KNOWS WHAT. AND IT’S ALL OVER THE PLACE. MY SON IS AN MP AND WHILE IN A-STAN HE WAS ORDERED TO TAKE A SQUAD OUT ONCE A WEEK TO REDUCE THE NUMBERS. THEY COULD NEVER BRING THEMSELVES TO SHOOT THE DOGS, ALTHOUGH THEY DID EUTHANIZE A FEW THAT WERE BEYOND ANY HELP THEY COULD GIVE. THE GUYS DID A LOT OF ROCK THROWING BUT NO SHOOTING, THEY JUST COULDN’T. IT IS LIKE THAT ON MOST BASES UNLESS THE PERSON ORDERED OUT IS HEARTLESS.
SORRY FOR THE CAPS, I’M NOT SHOUTING, MY KEYBOARD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
BERNICE
I picked some veteran’s brains on this and according to them…
If the crime was done on a military base then the city doesn’t have jurisdiction unless the Army turns him over to them. If it was off-post, though, he can be tried for it. Double jeopardy does not apply because he was not tried for it initially. Article 15 is a Commander’s Non-Judicial Punishment.
It sounds like once he’s separated from the Army and walks out a civilian, he can be arrested and charged. It sounds like it to me. Someone can correct me if I figured this wrong.
Oh man! This makes me sick! After all that POS did and he basically walks. Yea! There’s REAL justice for those poor pups that suffered in the hands of this murdering monster. I can only hope, that, as D said, Karma gets him and gets him good. When he walks out on those streets, maybe with all the news on him, other humans will give him nothing but disgust and hate with every step he takes. That every time he is seen in public, he will not be able to raise his head, because others will be staring at him with eyes of wanting him buried deep in the earth! Wow! I can’t even imagine what Wrigley’s mom thinks of this, after all she’s been through to get him prosicuted. He will get his….yes, he will get his. Somewhere, some how.
FYI: here is the latest on Zimmerman. I am especially horrified that although he has been reduced in rank (big whoop), he may still be allowed to remain in the army!
Related Stories/Links MORE INFO
Video: Fort Bliss Reactions To Dog Killing Video: Exclusive Interview: Col. Edward Manning Talks About Zimmerman Case Video: Advocates Say Animal Abuse Unacceptable Video: Some Angry Over Ruling for Zimmerman Video: Animal Activist Agrees with Fort Bliss Leaders Video: Communication Could Have Avoided Dog’s Death Video: Animal Rescuers Speak Out About Zimmerman Slideshow: Ft. Bliss Soldier Accused of Animal Cruelty Link: Map: Adoption Attempts Link: Update To Animal Cruelty Concerns From Ft. Bliss Link: Second Update To Animal Cruelty Concerns From Ft. Bliss Link: Ft. Bliss Policy On Animal Cruelty Link: Ft. Bliss response: Update To Animal Cruelty Concerns
More RelatedExclusive: Col. Manning Talks About Animal Cruelty Case
Monica Balderrama-KFOX News Reporter
Posted: 5:48 pm MDT June 23, 2009
Updated: 9:49 pm MDT June 23, 2009
EL PASO, Texas — After an interview with Col. Edward Manning on Tuesday, KFOX learned a lot of things about this animal cruelty case. As KFOX has reported, Spc. Frank Zimmerman, 22, is accused of stomping on his dog, Tinkerbell’s neck and breaking his other dog, Wrigley’s, hind leg. He was charged with animal cruelty and disciplined under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
“This looked like it stemmed from some kind of anger problem at the least. Immediately, when this happened, the chain of command directed him to go to some anger management classes, to see what else we could offer him, to see what triggered that behavior, and what we could do for him,” said Manning.
Manning said he’s not quite sure what was happening with Zimmerman. KFOX learned it was Manning, not Zimmerman’s captain, who issued the non-judicial punishment.
Animal-rights advocates criticized Manning for punishing Zimmerman under Article 15, saying it resembled a hearing for a traffic ticket. Manning said he gave him a just punishment.
“The recommendation was, and I concurred with it, it was appropriate at my level. It was more severe that what a captain might have handled or lieutenant or lieutenant colonel,” said Manning.
Now, Zimmerman was reduced in rank and faces discharge from the Army. A review board will look at his case and will decide if he remains in the Army or what type of discharge he would receive.
Manning said this case is unique and has officers looking at their overall policy and procedures to make sure this doesn’t happen again.
“Through out the post, the leadership at the post, we’re all very dismayed by this and shocked. This is not normal behavior by any stretch of the imagination,” said Manning.
KFOX also learned that Zimmerman had several options when he went before Manning. He was asked if he wanted to appeal his charges and asked if he wanted a trial by court-martial. He choose neither.
I am very saddened at his penalties for what he has done. I was always taught and led to believe that our military personel were to be role models? When did this go flying out the door, along with morals?
To Martha, if you are still reading this blog, if you would like Zimmerman and his wife added to the DNA list, please ask D for my personal email, and we can communicate regarding this. I believe he should be added as what he had done not only to Tinkerbelle and Wrigley, but to others, to me he is Public Animal Enemy # 1. Hope you contact me. I would be proud to add him to my listings.
I sure hope the civil juristiction goes after this worthless piece of mankind. I shall write a letter of disappointment to the CO of that base, and also send a letter to the DA in El Paso. Karma is one thing I believe in, but I want this man and his wife to rot in hell. They do not deserve to breathe the same air as you or I.
To all…first off, I thank each and everyone of you who have been there for “Tinkerbelle and Wrigley”. I understand the only step left is to write a letter to:
Mr. Pete Geren
Under Secretary of the Army
1400 Defense Pentagon
Washington D.C. 20301-1400
We need to voice our concerns pertaining to the incident; the more letters, the better, but we have to act fast. I have printed both petitions and am sending them out tomorrow to Mr. Geren in hopes that they read enough of it, to make them think twice of what is happening here at Ft. Bliss with our military. I have always supported the military 100%, as I grew up in a military family (father, brother,brother-in-laws and my husband. Unfortunately, I don’t feel the same about our military and especially Ft. Bliss at this time…mainly Ft. Bliss. Please get those letters out asap; we just can’t give up. Thank you.
You sound real smart – are you sure that is the “only step left”? There’s no one else in the chain of command between Geren and Fort Bliss? Go to Gitmo.
just so u know zimmerman is walking free.. he did get a other than honerable discharge. I know that also his wife has filed for devorce.That is all that he gets out of it thought i would let u know and just so you know she was terrified of him and that is why she did not speak and little do you all know she had called before to see if they would pick them up. I know that she is leaven him because he threatend her..so that is all he got like i said
It sounds to me like this man was also a wife abuser. We see this all the time – the family pet is abused to “keep the family in line.” Meaning – “If my supper is late, I will beat your dog.” Or “If you piss me off, I will kill your dog.”
I sincerely hope, for the sake of the community, that the civilian courts file charges against this man. He should not be allowed to roam free through the community. He is a high risk for terrorizing neighbors, harming or injuring their pets, abusing his partner/wife, abusing his kids, and committing general criminal trespass against the community at large.
I wouldn’t want him on my block. It’s a pity he hasn’t been hit by a truck.