Not sure if this was ever the case in game previously but is definitely worth consideration if MC-26678 ever gets reopened.
Note how the chicken in the provided images falls down towards the left when killed, instead of falling in the direction away from the player since the arrow hit them from the opposite of that direction.
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I can confirm for 20w46a. It did take me quite a while to reproduce, however, the issue still occurs.

This "bug" is here since Indev 0.31. Mobs used to fall to the side where they are knocked from in Classic version. It is unknown if this is intended, but it is likely, since Notch tested mobs falling to their back during a short time (when he added back Humans in 0.31) but he ended up in the final design where mobs would fall to their left.
Can confirm in 20w51a.
Can confirm in 21w03a.
Can confirm in 21w05b. This can be seen almost all of the time.
Can confirm in 21w06a.
Can confirm in 21w07a.
Can confirm in 21w08b. Video attached.
Can confirm in 1.16.5.
Can confirm in 21w11a.
Can confirm in 21w13a.
Can confirm in 21w16a.
Can confirm in 1.17.

This is a feature request.
Hi there!
I can confirm this for 1.16.3.