Savaged like a dead sheep

In his autobiography, "Coflict of Loyalty", Geoffrey Howe refers to being taunted by Denis Healey with this phrase, but suggests that healey may have been recycling an insult first used by Winston Churchill. Does anyone know any more about this?

Definitely a recycled quip - I think each generation of Parliamentarians re-use it. I have a feeling that it may go back to the Victorian era or beyond.

It's in the same league as having a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.