Andrea Rosebrock 
Update 6/21/09 – Military Punishment for Dog Killer, Abuser a Joke! No Justice! VIDEO
As El Paso, TX Fort Bliss soldier Spc. Frank Zimmerman awaits his court martial in the brutal beating death of his adopted dog, Tinkerbelle, we now find out the Tinkerbelle and Wrigley were not the first pair of dogs adopted by him nor, most likely, were they his first victims.
In a period of seven week Zimmerman and his wife attempted to adopt at least 8 dogs, 6 of which they did adopt. The first pair, two lab-mix puppies adopted from New Hope Alliance at the end of January, are dead, allegedly from parvo. A vet that was interviewed said they tested negative for the disease but due to the incubation period, parvo could have been the culprit in their deaths. There is no way to know now.
After the puppies’ deaths, the Zimmermans went back to New Hope Alliance in February and adopted to more dogs. These were returned within 48 hours traumatized and injured.
“When the animals came back into our custody, the animals did appear to have some type of trauma,” Rebecca Rojas, a volunteer coordinator with New Hope Alliance, which works out of the El Paso County Animal Control said.
At that point red flags went up and the Zimmermans were placed on the DNA list. Unfortunately this list was not assimilated to other rescues and shelters so for all intents and purposes, the Zimmermans were allowed to slip through the cracks and adopt two more dogs, Tinkerbelle and Wringley, but not before attempting to adopt from Animal Rescue League at a West El Paso Petsmart store.
“When the Zimmermans came out here, there was something about them I wasn’t comfortable about, my gut feeling,” said Loretta Hyde, director of ARL.
ARL requested a home visit and at the point the Zimmermans passed on adopting two dogs from them. They then went to Pet Guardian Angel in Montana Vista and adopted the poor doomed Tinkerbelle and little Wrigley, and we already know their fate: Tinkerbelle dead after being beaten and stomped to death and Wrigley’s leg broken, shattered.
Needless to say, they are now questions if the deaths of the first two puppies from New Hope Alliance was actually from parvo or something else.
Communication Could Have Avoided Dog’s Death
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Facing an animal cruelty charge, Zimmerman’s court martial is expected to take place with 45 days where a recommendation for a discharge ha been given to Commanding General Howard Bromberg. A spokesperson said that the case will actually mmost likely be resolved by the end of the week though.
So this piece of trash, went from one place to another searching out his canine victims and now at least one, possible three, are dead at his hands and another three injured and traumatized. And this is a man with a wife and an infant child? He seriously need to be locked up away from anyone he can inflicts more suffering upon!
I am astounded! I do not want to say what I really think, but I do know that rescues across the United States have a DNA list, and I keep files on the DNA’s. I am so shocked that no one checked this DNA list. On my personal independent adoption application, I ask for references. Not only work references, neighbors, friends, etc. When I screen people for adoptions, I actually go to their neighbors homes and ask questions. I am not afraid to ask questions and get answers.
As Ms. Hyde had a gut feeling, I am so happy she did go with her gut feeling. I also go by my gut feeling. I can usually tell when I do the home visit – the minute I walk into the home, as to whether it is a good home. It might be a good home, but I always want to see where the dog is going to sleep at night, and where his/her area is to be during the day. If I am not comfortable with their choice of areas for this pup, they do not get the dog. Even when I have done home visits for other rescues, or interview potential fosters, these rescues know they can count on me, because I will be tough as nails.
I am so saddened about the other two dogs who were returned to the rescue and not in perfect health, along with the two pups who died of parvo. Rescues do not release dogs with parvo, so how did these two pups come in contact with it, and pass on?
By this report coming out, it shows that this guy Zimmerman is a real monster, and needs to be found guilty and serve time on all these abuse/murder charges. I say murder, because it is murder. Once our judicial systems recognizes that killing an animal is murder, the happier I will be. As for his wife and child, get the hell out before it is you on the ground begging for your life. Seek help – either with a person of the cloth, or talk to the police, and tell them your fears. I would not trust this guy with any living being. Lock the sob up for life. He does not deserve to breathe the same air as all the good people in this world.
i SO agree with u, Susie. MURDER. n he should b treated as a murderer. although murderer seem 2 have it nice while they’re in jail, eh? they have a bed 2 sleep in, meals, etc. look at charlie manson!!!!!!!!
HOLY CRAP! After his court martial, he needs to be prosecuted aggressively for this. This is disgusting!!
YEP!!!! but sad 2 say, we know that he won’t b
It’s bad enough he is a discusting piece of shit , but what about her ? My wife would have not put up with this .With so many dogs needing homes , his next step would be in the want adds FREE DOG . Hang the basterd and his stupid wife
We need to really screen anyone going into any of the services. If they are cold blooded killers like this, then send them to the areas where terrorists are and let them kill them, not innocent little babies. By doing this it would also keep some of boys from being killed out there. People like him need to go to the most dangerous places. Take out your aggression on a terrorist, not an animal or child. The child will be next if it hasn’t already been hurt. Did anyone check the child or children in that home. Sounds to me like this guy isn’t playing with a full deck.
Hang him !!!! the scum bag
During the years when I served in the U.S. Navy he would not have immediately been discharged. He would have been sentenced first, to serve, at the very least, three years in prison but probably a lot more. He likely would have gone to Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary which is not a so-called ‘country club’ prison. After his sentence is served he would have been given either a Bad Conduct or Dishonorable Discharge which would deprive him of all veterans benefits. The Navy and Marine Corps treat any kind of crime very seriously compared to civilian courts. The prevailing view is that any kind of crime brings dishonor to the Navy and Marine Corps. I think he might have got between 10 to 20 years at that time. Ever see the movie The Last Detail with Jack Nicholson and Danny Glover? That film is an accurate dipiction of military justice at that time. The convicted sailor got 20 years for robbing a gumball machine! I’ve heard the Army and even more so the Air Force are not quite as harsh, but I certainly hope they will be this time. I hope the judge at his court martial is as passionate a dog lover as the folks on this site.
Charlie, we can only hope. I no longer have a great deal of faith when it comes to adequate punishment for animal abusers but hope that one day soon these kinds of crimes are taken as seriously as they should be. I also think the military, as an institution, has deteriorated greatly in what is expected of its members. There was a time when our troops were looked on with great respect and honor and they held themselves to be a step above. Few do today, sadly.
D.
Thank you Charlie for your knowledge of the military. My brother was a lifer, but never bothered to ask what punishments would be on someone. But at the time he was in, like D said, it was honorable to serve our country, and all were treated with respect.
I did’nt mean to sidetrack so much on the military folks. I know after all, this is a dog’s site. I just want all of these scumbags to get what they deserve, just like all of you do.
The more knowledge we have Charlie, is not going to hurt us here. It will help us to understand the background of the military when it comes to animal abuse.
this man just needs to go somewhere and die!!!!!!!!!!!! excuse me i mean piece of shit..he isnt a man
oh and she does to..the other piece of shit wife,,she is no better
Why are BOTH of these perverts not being criminally charged???
I am not worried. Took me a while to get around to reading this, but upon completion, I am quite sure this POS will get his. One way or another. He is a murderer and his wife is an accoplice. Thank you Charlie for that insight. Well put. It gives me a bit more hope, this POS and his wife will get theirs and get it good. One way or another, they will get theirs. At this point, I wish I could get my hands on him personally and get face to face with his wife. She needs to become somewhat male and get some balls, get the hell away from him to prevent future blame towards her as well. That poor child, having heard and seen all the abuse his stupid father laid on these innocent furbaby’s. I sure hope that child doesn’t become an abuser as well. Zimmerman will get his!
well i can say what i have been told his wife left him i just found out
I use to work with this guy, yea…this guy has always been f****d up, and his wife…i never thought he would go this far..but this dumb bastard better spend more than a damn week in jail thats all i know…
i was in the army with this dude for about a year. i always knew he was not the sharpest tool in the shed but damn. i guess the way he used to get picked on did it to him. he was never man enough to do anything to a real man so i guess he had to take it out on some poor dogs. it just shows that he is and always will be a little b#tch!
I used to work with this guy too. It never crossed my mind that he wouldn’t do something like this.. What an insane loser this guy is and always has been. I guess him becoming an MP didnt go so well. I guess theres only one thing left to do.. Feed HIM to the dogs