The old zombies animation (from old versions DayZ Alpha) looked realy cool and fucking scary!
When you see that zombies run to you so fast, single-mindedly and with so big enthusiasm, you may crap your pants.
I was playing DayZ before it released (i was a tester) and remember that feeling!

http://youtu.be/4j0cPwIbwsM?t=4m18s

Maybe speed should be slightly less than in the video (and vision more blind), but it really was better.
New animation looks funny and not so realistic, my opinion - it is a mistake. I hope you will change your mind about this.
With old animation Dayz was much more expressive!