Through the Eyes of Nandy: Helping Children Stay Safe from Dog Bites

Children are disproportionately affected by dog bites and rabies. They are naturally curious around animals, often unaware of warning signs, and many do not tell adults when they have been bitten or scratched — especially if the injury seems small or they fear getting into trouble.

That simple but dangerous reality sits at the heart of Nandy, a short film produced in Kenya for the World Health Organization and UNICEF, in collaboration with Zero 30 Media.

Rather than approaching rabies through statistics or fear, the film takes a different path: it tells the story through the eyes of a dog.

Narrated by Nandy himself, the film uses warmth and emotion to help children understand how to behave safely around dogs, why bites matter, and what they should do immediately if they are bitten or scratched. It is an approach grounded in empathy rather than alarm — making a difficult public health message accessible to young audiences.

This perspective is important because rabies prevention often begins long before a hospital visit. It starts with awareness: teaching children how to recognise risky situations, avoid provoking animals, and understand that even a small bite or scratch must always be reported to an adult.

One of the film’s strengths is that it avoids portraying dogs simply as threats. In many communities, dogs are companions, protectors and part of daily life. By allowing a dog to guide the story, the film creates trust and engagement while still delivering a serious message about safety and prevention.

The Kenyan setting also gives the film authenticity and immediacy. Rabies continues to affect many communities across Africa and Asia, despite being entirely preventable through dog vaccination, timely post-exposure treatment and education. Children remain among the most vulnerable victims.

At its core, Nandy is about empowering children with knowledge. If children understand what to do after a bite or scratch — wash the wound, tell an adult immediately and seek medical help — lives can be saved.

In global health, communication is often treated as secondary to medicine or logistics. But films like Nandy show that storytelling can itself become prevention. Sometimes the most effective intervention is ensuring that a child recognises danger early, speaks up quickly and knows they will be listened to.

Watch the film here: Nandy film on YouTube