‘i’m not a cat’

That’s what a Texas attorney had to declare when he got stuck in a Zoom filter during a routine hearing in a civil forfeiture case.

Presidio County Attorney rod Ponton appeared before Texas’ 394th Judicial district Court as a fluffy kitten with big round eyes on Tuesday.

Judge roy Ferguson later shared a 34-second clip from the hearing on social media with an important Zoom tip.

“If a child used your computer, before you join a virtual hearing check the Zoom Video Options to be sure filters are off. This kitten just made a formal announcement on a case,” Ferguson tweeted with a youtube link.

Ponton told The Washington Post that he was using his legal assistant’s computer for the Zoom call and they think her daughter had added the filter at some point.

Ferguson was the first to address the cat in the room.

“Mr. Ponton I believe you have a filter turned on in the video settings, you might want to ...” Ferguson said.

The cat’s eyes darted fervently before the voice of Ponton responded: “Awwhh! We’re trying to — can you hear me judge?”

“I can hear you,” Ferguson said. “I think it’s a filter.”

“It is,” kitten Ponton said, nodding. “I don’t know how to remove it. I got my assistant here trying to ...”

he trailed off before steeling himself: “I’m prepared to go forward with it — if that’s — I’m here live.”

And then, Ponton made the most wonderful declaration: “I’m not a cat.” Of course, these words were uttered by what was clearly a cat.