Seven men were charged with betting on dogfights Monday - including an accused ringleader who claimed he didn't know his Bronx apartment was being used to stage the cruel battles.

Alexander Estephane, 44, told investigators he thought the group of 40 to 50 men were simply using his basement apartment "for a party" late Saturday.

Police said 16 dogs and two roosters were recovered in the raid on the E. 179th St. flat in Tremont.

One of the *lo**ied dogs later died.

Lauritz Acoy, 41, and Eric Boyce, 33, both of the Bronx, and Israel Cuevas, 34; Juan Toledo, 38; Alterik Mason, 29, and Darnell Walker, 34, all of New Jersey, were arraigned on animal fighting charges and could face up to a year in prison.

Estephane faces a stiffer penalty for hosting the *lo** sport, sources said.