What can I do about a neighbor whom filed a false report with the police against me?

My husband and I moved out of our house, which is currently on the market and still contains some of our belongings. We moved 45 minutes away and left our dog behind until we could find her a home. We continued to stop back every day, but one (my mother fed her that day), in a 5 day period to feed/water and pick up more belongings. In the meantime, two neighbors called in a complaint to the police and the humane society of animal neglect/abuse. I am a police officer and this could seriously damage my career if it goes any further. If it does go any further, I would like to know if I can pursue a civil suit for defamation of character or have them charged with filing a false report. If I end up getting charged, I will no longer have a career in law enforcement