bearbaiting

[ bair-bey-ting ]

/ ˈbɛərˌbeɪ tɪŋ /

the former practice of setting dogs to fight a captive bear.

Origin of bearbaiting

1250–1300; Middle English. See bear², bait(def 10), -ing¹

bear·bait·er, noun

It is also true that the New York Post practices the celebrity equivalent of bear-baiting.

Should MSNBC Fire Alec Baldwin and Martin Bashir? |Lloyd Grove |November 23, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
Bull-running and bull-baiting was an attraction only rivalled by bear-baiting.

Old Country Inns of England |Henry P. Maskell
Crossing over now to the Surrey side, we see conspicuously the two round pens for bull- and bear-baiting respectively.

Maps of Old London |Anonymous
The bull-fight is spreading to France, and English newspapers are advocating the reintroduction of bear-baiting and cock-fighting.

Tea-Table Talk |Jerome K. Jerome

They afford much sport to those inclined for such exercises; but the cruel practice of bear-baiting is discontinued.

Anecdotes of the Habits and Instinct of Animals |R. Lee
Long before the legitimate drama made its appearance, bull and bear-baiting flourished at Bankside.

Medival London |William Benham

bear-baiting

(formerly) an entertainment in which dogs attacked and enraged a chained bear