If we look at when the mechanical hound is first
introduced in the novel, we are given the answer to your question. The mechanical hound
can be set to focus on targets based on their amino acids, sulphur, butterfat and
alkaline. Note how Beatty presents the mechanical hound when Montag enters work and
tells him that he thinks the mechanical hound doesn't like
him:
Come off
it. It doesn't like or dislike. It just "functions." It's like a lesson in ballistics.
It has a trajectory we decide on for it. It follows through. It targets itself, homes
itself, and cuts off. It's only copper wire, storage batteries, and
electricity.
Thus we can see
that the hound hones in on the target it is given by the fire service based on the
target's personal levels of amino acids and other chemicals, supposedly producing an
efficient and swift way of killing any undesirables. The hound is thus presented as a
ruthless and deadly machine that is also safe to the public as it "sniffs out" its
victim and despatches it quickly.
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