‘I’m not a cat’: Feline filter flusters Texas attorney during Zoom call

ALPINE, Texas — Call it a legal faux paws.

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A Texas attorney had a cat filter activated on his Zoom profile as he attempted to argue his case, KSAT reported.

Arvel R. “Rod” Ponton III was online for a case in the 394th District Court in Culberson County on Tuesday, the television station reported. The feline filter was on as he addressed the court virtually.

Video of the court proceedings, released by Judge Roy Ferguson on social media and on YouTube, showed a flustered Ponton desperately trying to retain his dignity while frantically trying to remove the filter.

“Mr. Ponton, I believe you have a filter turned on in the video settings,” Ferguson says in the video.

As Ferguson attempted to help a confused and flustered Ponton-turned-cat, the attorney offered to continue with his case.

“Can you hear me judge?” Ponton says. “I don’t know how to remove it. I’ve got my assistant here, she’s trying to, but I’m prepared to go forward with it. I’m here live. I’m not a cat.”

The video clip ends with others on the call trying to help Ponton remove the cat filter.

“These fun moments are a by-product of the legal profession’s dedication to ensuring that the justice system continues to function in these tough times,” Ferguson wrote on Twitter. “Everyone involved handled it with dignity, and the filtered lawyer showed incredible grace. True professionalism all around!”

Cox Media Group