bearbaiting

noun2

1. •
   A blood sport in which dogs are set upon a chained bear

   • But bearbaiting, then a favourite diversion of high and low, was the abomination which most strongly stirred the wrath of the austere sectaries. — 1858
2. •
   (figurative) A bloodthirsty free for all.

   • But that's not the worst part of the phenomenon that the press conference bearbaiting illustrates. — 1983