Horrific new photo shows extent of Puka Nacua bite victim’s alleged injury

A new photo is shedding more light on the alleged injury a woman sustained after she was bitten by Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua earlier this year.

The picture, which was released to The California Post on Tuesday by Madison Atiabi’s attorney Joseph Kar, is a color version of the black-and-white image Atiabi and Kar submitted as evidence when they asked a court in March for a restraining order against Nacua.

In the more clear photograph, imprints of Nacua’s teeth can be visibly seen. The wound also seems to be deeper in the skin than it initially appeared in the non-color image.

Kar revealed after releasing the photo that Atiabi underwent a tetanus shot as a result of the bite.

“I don’t know if you know,” Kar said, “but the mouth is one of the dirtiest places on the planet given the amount of bacteria we have as humans.

“My client has also suffered severe emotional distress and mental anguish and is being treated.”

The bite occurred on New Year’s Eve, when Atiabi and Nacua were out in Los Angeles with mutual friends.

Following a dinner, Nacua allegedly latched onto Atiabi’s shoulder as they were in the back of a sprinter van on their way to another location.

Nacua, through his attorney Levi McCathern, acknowledged the bite, but he insisted it was all the result of mutual “horseplay.”

Kar and Atiabi have denied that claim and are suing Nacua for gender violence, assault and battery, and negligence. In mid-April, they pulled their request for a restraining order so they could focus further on the lawsuit.

The civil matter remains ongoing.

Authorities, meanwhile, investigated the incident for possible misdemeanor charges, but in May, a Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office spokesperson said the matter had been assigned for a City Attorney Hearing, which is “a pre-filing diversion available to eligible individuals that is an alternative to misdemeanor criminal prosecution.”

Nacua entered rehab in the weeks following his encounter with Atiabi and told reporters on May 28 that he had grown from the incident and the therapy that ensued.

USA TODAY Sports was first to report the new image.

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