City officials installed signs warning drivers to slow down after four horses were struck and killed by passing vehicles in an area in south Reno.

Since the beginning of October, four horses were killed near Veterans Parkway and Rio Wrangler Parkway, city officials said in a news release Tuesday.

The speed limit in that area is 45 mph. But on Friday, four mobile message boards were temporarily installed nearby, advising drivers to slow down to 35 mph when traveling through the area. Two of the message boards warn drivers of “horses in the roadway.”

One board was placed east of Veterans Parkway on Rio Wrangler Parkway. The other was installed south of Steamboat Parkway on Rio Wrangler Parkway.

Three days later, two more boards were placed on Veterans Parkway, south of Steamboat Parkway and north of Rio Wrangler, officials said.

“We want people to understand the advised speed limit of 35 mph is not considered permanent, but may ultimately be part of the solution to improve public safety, which is our top priority at the City of Reno,” Councilwoman Naomi Duerr said in the news release.

Duerr said city officials plan to keep the message boards in place for about 30 days while staff evaluate the situation to determine the next step.

Since mid-August, the Reno Police Department received 13 calls related to horse and vehicle disturbances in the area. Most of those encounters were reported near the intersection of Veterans and Rio Wrangler parkways.

Reno police has been advising drivers to slow down as part of a month-long, citywide effort to enforce speed-limit laws. The effort is part of Joining Forces, a statewide enforcement program.

“We cannot stress enough to the public to slow down this time of year, particularly as we approach the Halloween holiday and the time change (on Nov. 5),” Reno Police chief Jason Soto said in the news release. “This can be a dangerous time of year on Reno roads for motorists and pedestrians.”

Soto said drivers should give themselves extra time to get to their destinations and avoid driving while drinking or under the influence of drugs.