A new approach to assessing animal emotion is now widely used in livestock and lab animals.

Emotion research has offered new ways of tackling welfare issues

A leading behaviour expert has been given a prestigious award for his work to improve animal welfare by developing new methods for assessing emotion.

Mike Mendyl, a professor of animal behaviour and welfare at the University of Bristol, was presented with the RSPCA/BSAS award for his work on animal behaviour, cognition, emotion and personality.

During his time at Bristol, his research has focused on domestic animals including pigs, dogs, rats and sheep.

His work has brought to light new ways of tackling welfare issues, leading to a range of improvements in the housing and management of farm and laboratory animals.

A new approach to assessing animal emotion that Prof Mendyl developed alongside Dr Liz Paul is now widely used in livestock and lab animals.

In addition, his research shed light on the development of abnormal behaviours, such as tail-biting in pigs, and why some animals differ in their reaction to welfare problems.

The RSPCA's chief veterinary officer James Yeates said Prof Mendyl's work is key to improving our understanding of the way animals think and react to their environment.

Presenting the award, he said: "His research has enabled animal keepers understand how to look after their stock in a way which benefits their animals’ welfare and ultimately helps their businesses."

Image courtesy of the University of Bristol