EL PASO, Texas -- Fort Bliss Spc. 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.

The press release said details about Zimmerman's punishment were considered private and no further details were given.

KFOX broke the story in March when a volunteer at a local animal adoption agency told KFOX that Zimmerman had returned a recently adopted dog, Wrigley, with a broken leg. Pet Guardian Angel officials told KFOX a second dog, Tinkerbelle, had died a week earlier in Zimmerman's care. When KFOX contacted Zimmerman's household, his wife, Shirley, told KFOX Zimmerman had stomped on the golden retriever's neck until it died.

Fort Bliss began investigating the dog abuse charges after being questioned by KFOX. Zimmerman was placed in the barracks while the post's three-month investigation unfolded.

Meanwhile, a KFOX investigation found a disturbing trend surrounding Zimmerman and local dog adoptions. From Jan. 31 to March 17, KFOX discovered that Zimmerman had adopted six dogs, three of which died in his care. Three other dogs were returned to local agencies with injuries that agency officials believed Zimmerman inflicted. In addition, Zimmerman attempted to adopt dogs at two local agencies but was denied.

Franklyn Zimmerman Timeline

The Zimmerman case is the second time in a year a Fort Bliss soldier has been accused of dog abuse. KFOX's reports on Sgt. Dwayne Sumter prompted the U.S. Army to bring the military police officer back from his unit in Iraq to face charges in El Paso.

Sumter is accused of leaving his dog, Little Pit Girl, locked in a crate when he transferred to Fort Hood in February 2008. The dog chewed her way out of the crate, but without food or water, died on top a piece of discarded luggage. Little Pit Girl's carcass was discovered by a property manager weeks later.

Sumter made his first court appearance in early June.