A Living Dog better that a Dead Lion

Can any of your readers inform me with whom the proverb originated: "*A living dog is better than a dead lion?*" F. Domin. Bannez (or Bannes), in his defence of Cardinal Cajetan, after his death, against the attacks of Cardinal Catharinus and Melchior Canus (*Comment. in prim. par. S. Thom.* p. 450. ed. Duaci, 1614), says— "Certe potest dici de istis, quod de Græcis insultantibus Hectori jam mortuo dixit Homerus, quòd *leoni mortuo etiam lepores insultant*." Query? Is this, or any like expression, to be found in Homer? If so, I should feel much obliged to any of your correspondents who would f…