Judge Judy fight spills out of "court"

The loser in a recently-taped episode of Judge Judy is harassing the winner, according to a restraining order filed in Los Angeles—all over a dog.

The two squared off on an episode of "Judy" that was taped May 23 — after Gardenhire claimed Whitman owed her money for taking care of an Ace of Hearts dog while the org. searched for a permanent owner. Judy ruled for Ace of Hearts … but after the show, Whitman claims Gardenhire began a campaign of harassment … and even made violent threats. According to legal docs obtained by TMZ, Whitman claims Gardenhire warned her, "Watch your back bitch" and threatened to steal Whitman's dogs in retaliation.