The golden I used to have did similar things w/her ears/eyes when I approached w/a leash. It was a habit formed from years of me sliding a new collar on with the leash attached. She'd squint and pull her ears back in anticipation of the collar being slid over her head.
I will again say that most animal control departments are vastly understaffed and therefore enforcement of the county's various animal related laws is complaint driven. They just do not have the staff to properly enforce the laws currently on the books. In most counties, they would probably find a huge decrease in the number of shelter dogs if they could actually enforce the laws currently in place, especially the leash law. Many of the unwanted puppies result from breedings that happen while dogs are roaming offleash. Until animal control can enforce the laws currently in place there is no reason for new laws, they won't make any difference.
That is a happy ending! My SIL's boxer ran out the door one Christmas morning at the other SIL's house. We all watched in horror as she dashed into the street and ran INTO an car. She bounced off the passenger door, and seemed completely unphased!