Unleash Your Veterinary Skills 2025 – Ace the Assistant Exam with Pawsitivity!

Staying calm, avoiding direct eye contact, and backing away slowly is the appropriate response to an aggressive animal. This approach helps to de-escalate the situation and minimizes the threat perceived by the animal. A calm demeanor signals to the animal that there is no immediate threat, which can help prevent further aggression.

Backing away slowly allows the person to create distance, reducing the chance of an encounter and allowing the animal time to feel less threatened. Direct eye contact can be interpreted as a challenge or a threat by the animal, potentially increasing its aggressive behavior.

While other options might seem tempting, they could provoke further aggression or anxiety in the animal. For instance, running away quickly might trigger a chase response, loud shouting could startle the animal, and attempting to pet the animal can be seen as a direct threat, prompting it to react aggressively. Thus, responding with calmness and caution is vital in handling aggressive animals safely.