Meteorologists have been falsely accused of steering hurricanes toward Florida or Appalachia, and some have reported threats of violence or personal attacks online.
Prosecutors say the man said he couldn't find anyone to watch the dog, now named Trooper, as he evacuated Florida for Georgia in anticipation of Milton.
The system is forecast to move westward toward the Caribbean's Leeward Islands, potentially becoming a tropical depression later this week, the National Hurricane Center said.
The Biden administration has sought to combat misinformation from former President Donald Trump and others about the emergency funds flowing to the state for hurricane relief.