Dogs on Leash Please

Just a quick note to all you dog owners out there, no matter how friendly or well behaved your dog is, please keep it on leash in areas marked "dogs on leash" by local by-laws. Sam and I went for our 5km walk through the Ravine in Mount Albert on the weekend and were attacked by dogs off leash. One dog attacked us twice, the second time knocking me to the ground. I am ok, just some sore muscles from Sam pulling the leash and from falling after being knocked over by the other dog. This dog was also named Sam and its owner was very apologetic. He explained that normally his dog is so well behaved. Well you never know what will set them off and I don't appreciate being attacked in an area where dogs are required to be on leash. The second dog to attack us was walking with an elderly lady. It came out of the bush and at first I thought maybe it was a stray, or had run away from home. A short while later its owner appeared from the bush, with her other dog who was on leash. I yelled over to her "excuse me is this your dog?", while it was fighting with Sam, and the owner could care less. Perhaps she was hard of hearing and didn't hear me yelling at her. She started to quietly whistle, which obviously did nothing, and finally yell the dog's name and he left us to go back over to his owner. Sam and I went on our merry way, but please keep in mind dogs on leash!